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ORIGINAL PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHI&S 



OLD PIONEEES 



AND CONGRESSMEN OF 



CATTARAUGUS COUNTY: 



A&EICULTUEAL SOCIETY, 



WITH THE STATISTICS OF EACH TOWls^ 



A.]SrD CIVIL LIST, 



FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY TO 1857. 



■ COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES, 

By JOHN MANLEY. 



LITTLE YALLEY, N. Y., 185t: 
PUBLISHED BY JOHN MANLEY. 



HOSPOED k CO., ST.VTI0NEH9 AND PRINTERS, 57 k 59 WILLIAM ST., NeW TOBK. 



AND 

LADIES' SE]VEIlSr^E,Y, 

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, N. Y. 
BENJ. CHAMBERLAIN, Pkes't. 

¥ee1)onia advertiser, 

Devoted to ihe dissemination of General Intelligence, and advocating the Prin- 
cijdcs of the American Party. 

Published Weekly, at $1.50 per Annum, 

At FREDONIA, CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. N. Y., By 

L. L. PRATT & CO. 



^ ^ M^ ^&^l( ® ^^ ^5\^ ^s "^ ty; fe) ^ 9 
H. H. GIFFORD, Proprietor, 

CORNER OF CENTER AND MA!N STREETS, 

' H. & E. S. COLMAN, 

WEST FRONT STREET, 

Dealers in Western Produce, Salt, Plaster, 

WATE R LIME, FISH, &c. 

ORDERS FOR ALL KINDS OF GRAIN, FLOUR, &c., PROMPTLY FILLED. 



DUNKIRK, N. Y. 

SEAMAN & FINKEL, Proprietors. 

NEAREST HOUSE TO DEPOT. 

ISAAC N. SEAMAN, WALTER FINKEL. 



CATTABAUCtUS COUNTY: 

EMBRACING ITS 

A.aRICUi:.TUIlA.L SOCIETY, 
NEWSPAPERS, CIVIL LIST, 

(From the Orga.vizatiox of thk Cou.vry to 1857.) 

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE OLD PIONEERS, 

(Wiril rORTRAITS.) 

BENJAMIN CHAMBERLAIN, PETER TEN BROECK, 
FREDERICK S. MARTIN, CIIAUNCEY J. FOX, 
ALSON LEAVENWORTH, STALEY N. CLARKE, 

AND OF CONGRESSMEN 
FRANCIS S. EDWARDS and REUBEN E. FENTON; 

Cclonial aiib Sfcitc ©okrnors of Utto fork; 

.WUIES OF 

TOWNS AND POST OFFICES, 

WITH THE STATISTICS OF EACH TOAYN. 



Secretary of tue Agriccltukai. and IIorticli.tural Societt. 



1857. 

LITTLE VALLEY^ N. Y.: 

PUBLISHED BY JOHN MANLEY. 



HCSFOKD & CO., gTATiOKKKS AND rwMHvS, £7 AXD 53 WiUJAJi Sjtreet, N, T. 



nMV 



1883 



^fy^r'-^'-^^'''" 



F 






THE OBJECT OF THIS PUBLICATION 

Ig to present brief sketches of some of the pioneers of Cat- 
taraauus County — men who have made their mark, and are 
emphatically a part of the county's history — to the citizens of 
the present time ; not with the expectation of doing full jus- 
tice to the characters of those eminent citizens, but as a sug- 
gestion, to those suitably qualified, to prepare a full history of 
the county, with sketches of all of the pioneers to whom the 
TRIBUTE OF GRATITUDE is due. If the skctches here presented 
fail to accomplish all that could be desired, there is a public 
satisfaction in preserving the very correct portraits of those 
worthy men. For the very satisfactory manner in Avhich the 
engraved portraits are executed, and the neat typography of 
these pages, credit is due to Messrs. Hosford & Co., of New 
York City. 

The portraits and sketches of Messrs. Edwards and Fen- 
ton are presented because their Congressional service belongs 
to Cattaraugus as well as to Chautauque, and because the 
writer of this, and many others, desired it on grounds of per- 
sonal friendship. 

The Agricultural Society's and town Statistics, and the civil 
list, as well as the advertisements of honorable business men, 
will be found of interest. 

For a large part of the original matter credit is duo to the 
kindness of Hon. Wm. Pitt Angel and David H. Bolles, 
Esq., of Ellicottville; James T. Henry, Esq., of Olean; L. L. 
Pratt, Esq., of Fredonia; and James Parker, Esq., of Frews- 
burg; and for assistance in collecting statistics, thanks are 
due to Moses Beecher, Esq., and Mr. George E. Nev»'Gomb, 
Deputy County Clerk, of Ellicottville. 



TO THE 

HONORED OLD PIONEERS, 

BENJAMIN CHAMBERLAIN, PETER TEN BROECK. 

FREDERICK S. MARTIN, CHAUNCEY J. FOX, 

ALSON LEAVENWORTH, and STALEY N. CLARKE, 

WHO HATE PERFORMED 

settlers' duties and defended settlers' RIGHTS, 
AND EXERCISED 

HIGH PUBLIC TRUSTS, CONFIDED TO THEM 

BY THE 

PEOPLE OF CATTARAUGUS, 

WITH ABILITY, INTEGRITY, AND PATRIOTISM, 

TUIS EUMRLE TRIBLTE 

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. 



THE CATTARAUGUS COUNTY 

AGRICULTURAL & HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



OFFICERS FOR 1857. 



BOARD OF MANAGERS, 

LORENZO STRATTON, President, 
NATHAN CR08BY, Vice Prt.sident, 

JOHN MAN LEV. 
DAN[EL BUCKLIN, 
CYRUS W. FULLER, 
.WILLLAM PENNEY, 
NATHANIEL WALKER, 
HARDY R. FINCH, 
LEICESTER TRACY, 
WILLIAM H. EDDY, 



Secretary, 
Treasurtr, 

1 



Directors, 



Little Valley. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 
Mansfield. 
Niipoli. 
New Albion. 
Mansfield. 



SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE AT THE FAIR, 
ADDISON CROWLEY, Sheriff of the County. 



TOWN VICE-PRESIDErjTS, 



JAMRS StRO.VG, 
AtEXANDER 8C0BEy, 
JOU.V BOARnMA.N-, - 

Chase Fl'lt.er, - 
Ebknkzer Pi.jce, 
ASAHKL Brown', 
Norman M. Alles, 
AVm. Somervii.le, 
Charlis T. Beach, 
PniNEAS Case. - 
-Pcter Ten Bkoeck, 
Jonas K. Button, 
Ebeb Holmks, 
Wm. Cross, - • 
holus scotp, 



Alhiiany 
AAhfoi d 
Bucldnoth 
CarrnlUm 
Cold Spring 
Cimuewango 
Dai/lnn 
EltiaMviUe 
■ Kast UUo •* 
Elffin 

FarmeysviUe 
FranJclinuiUe 
Pieeilom 
Great Valley 
Hinsdale 
Mason S^mitd, 



Virgil Rkkd, - 

N. l.ysDl KMAN, - 

n. C. Brand, 
N. Crosby, ex-officio, 
W. M. Farrar, 
James M. SiaiTH, 
HORACK Cro.ss, 
Horace C. Young, 
Samuel Bradley, - 
Ephraim Elliott, 
Wm. II. Stkwart, - 

L. E. l.OCKLING, 

.Smith Parisu, 

f'-PKNCER SCUDDER, 

John Crooks, 

Yorkuhire. 



■ Hon. Peter Ten Broeck, 
Abram Seari.k, 
Hon. Chauncey J. Fox, 
Alexandbr Chambers, 



EX-PRESIDENTS, 

Farmem'ille 
EliicoUoiUe 

dn. 
Great Valley 



John S. Harvev, 
.Samuel Harvey, 
Asaup:l Crowley, 

Horace Howe, 



Humphrty 

Jsclata 

Lenn 

Little Valley 

ilachi'is . 

Manyfield 

Napoli 

Aew Albion 

Vtean 

Persia 
Perryshurgh 
PortriUe 
Jiandolph 
South Valley 



New Alhion 
MansJieVl 
linndiiljih 
LiUle ValUy. 



HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY, 

Col. Benjamin P. Johnson, Albany i Col. Lewis G. Morris, Mt. Fcrdltam. N.T. 

Hon. Lewis F. Allen, Black Rock, N. F. Hon. A.miirose Stkvkns, BataHa, N. Y. 

Hon. Franos S. Edwards, Fredonia, N.Y. | Hon. Reuben E. Fe.\ton, Frewsburg, N.Y. 
G. M. Gaston, Esq., New Yark. 

LIFE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY, 

(GY the P.iYMENT OF Tta* DOLLARS,) 



STo. 1. 


John R. Fitch, - 


- LiUle Valley 


No. 7. 


Daniel Buckun, - 


LilMe Valley 


•2. 


Lbici'Ster Tract, ■ 


New A Ibiiin 


8. 


Jambs Chapman. 


Little Valley 


3. 


EoRKXzo Stbatton, 


■ Little Valley 


9. 


Hardy R. Finch, - 


Najmli 


4. 


Lyman Twomley, - 


Little Valley 


10. 


W.M. Sam'l Johnson, 


E^licoltiilU 


5. 


John Manley, 


■ Little Vallev 


11. 


John K. Comstock, 


Olean 


6. 


Horace Howe, 


LiUle Valley 


12. 


Sam'l \Vm. Johnwon, 


Ellicotlville. 



LIST OF PEEMIUMS 

Offered hy the Cattaraugus County Agricultural and Horticultural 

Society, for the Sixteenth Annual Fair, to be held at Little 

Valley, September 16th, 11th, and 18th, 1857. 



THE ANNUAL ADDRESS 

Will be delirered at 2 P.M., Friday, tlie 18tli September. 
By Hon. JAMES SHELDON, of Buffalo. 

Will furnish the Music for the Fair, and give a GRAND CONCERT iu the 
Evening of TflliRSDAY, the 17th SEPTEMBER. 



*^SimsO^T CSlOtVI^S-:^, Esq., SherifTt 

.Superintendent of Police. 



RULES. 

I. All property must be entered in the name of the bona fide 
OTrners, and Grain, Fruit, and Vegetables, Dairy Products, 
Household and Mechanic Manufactures, must have been raised 
or made by the exhibitors thereof. 

II. Stock (except horses) must be entered upon the Secre- 
tary's books during Wednesday, be on the Fair Grounds by 10 
A. M., Thursday, and remain until 3 P. M., Friday; entries of 
horses and all other property, and for plowing or trial match- 
es, will close at 2 P. M., Thursday; and horses, of all kinds, 
must be on the Fair Grounds by 9 A. M., Friday, and remain 
until 3 P.M.; equestrian entries will close at 9 A. M., Friday. 



8 

III. Competitors on Dairy Products must give in writing 
the mode of manufacture; on Crops, the soil, tillage, amount 
of land, quantity per acre, by weight, according to the New 
York standard of 1857, cost of raising, &c., verified on oath. 
The Committee on Crops must be furnished with statements 
and sami)lcs of grain by competitors, on or before the 1st Sat- 
urday in December, and the awards will be made at the An- 
nual Meeting. 

IV. No Animal or Article can compete but for a single 
premium. 

V. Premiums will not be paid on Animals or Articles of 
inferior merit, although there may be no competition. 

VI. No person shall act as a Judge for awarding premiums, 
for which he is any way a competitor. 

VII. No member, not a resident of this County, shall com- 
pete for prizes, (except Diplomas and Transactions,) at any 
Fair of this Society. 

VIII. Any person who shall knowingly violate the regula- 
tions of this Society, or who shall seek to obtain a premium 
by false pretences, or by improper interference with the Judg- 
es, shall be excluded from competition. 

IX. Hay for Stock on exhibition during the Fair, shall be 
furnished by the Society gratis. 

X. Door and Gate Keepers are prohibited from receiving 
money for admissions to the Fair Grounds, and must return all 
tickets received for admissions immediately to the Secretary. 



NOTICE TO COMPETITORS. 

20 per cent, of premiums, amounting to $5 to one person, to 
be paid in books. 

25 per cent, of premiums, amounting from $5 to $10 to one 
person, to be paid in books. 

33 per cent, of premiums, amounting to over $10 to one per- 
son, to be paid in books. 

Persons awarded premiums, to whom the above rule may 



9 



apply, to select their books from C. M. Saxton & Go's list of 
Agricultural Books; any Agricultural paper publiijhed in the 
State of New York, or any Cattaraugus County paper. 

Ladies to whom Silver Ware may be awarded, will receive 
it marked, and of such articles as they may select. 



PREMIUMS OTHER THAN MONEY. 

In the following list, premiums with ' s' prefixed to figures 
refer to the numbers in C. M. Saxton & Co's list of Agricul- 
tural Books, appended to this list. Those marked ' D' are Di- 
plomas; 'Tr.' are Transactions New York State Agricultural 
Society, or American Institute; ' P' are Patent Office Reports. 



NOTICE TO JUDGES. 

Judges are requested to attend at their office on the Fair 
Grounds, promptly at the time specified for each class. If any 
persons cannot act, they will please notify the Secretary be- 
fore the first day of the Fair, that the vacancy may be filled. 



FIRST DIVISION. 
NATHANIEL WALKER, Marshal. 

Judges of all classes in this division are requested to meet 
at the Judges' Office at 2 P.M., Thursday, make their examin- 
ations, and return their report to the Secretary by 11 A. M., 
Friday. 

Competitors must conform to Rule II. Stock will be ar- 
ranged under the supervision of the Division Marshal. 



10 

Class 1. — Durhams, Devons, Ayshires. 

Durham Bull, over 2 years $8 f 6 $3 

do do under 2 years 6 4 2 

do do Calf 4 3 2 

do Cow, over 3 years 7 5 3 

do Heifer, under 3 years 6 4 2 

do do Calf 4 3 2 

Devon Bull, over 2 years 8 6 3 

do do under 2 years 6 4 2 

do do Calf 4 3 2 

do Cow, over 3 years- 7 5 3 

do Heifer, under 3 years 6 4 2 

do do Calf 4 3 2 

Ayshiro Bull 8 6 3 

do do Calf 4 3 2 

do Cow, over 3 years 7 5 3 

do Heifer, under 3 years 6 4 2 

do do Calf 4 3 2 

Evidence showing the purity of blood and authentic pedi- 
grees of all animals to compete in Class 1, must be presented 
to the Secretary at the time of entry. No others allowed to 
compete in this class. 

Judges. — Mason ^mMh, Yorkshire; Amos T. Mead.KerimYfo; 

Earl Eaton, Perrysburg; John S. Harvey, Jfew Albion; J. A. 
Brewer, Machias. 



Class 2. — Grade Bulls — Milk, &c. 

Oracle Bulls $5 13 $2 

Cows, 3 years and upwards 5 3 2 

Heifer, 2 years 4 3 2 

do 1 year 3 2 I 

do Calf 2 1 Tr. 

Best Milk Cow * $6 ] To be paid in sil- 

2d do do 5 j- ver ware to the 

3d do do 3 ) wife of owner. 

* The Milk Cow to be kopt on grass only, during the experiment, and for 
fifteen days previous to each period of the trial. 



11 



The time of trial from lOtli to 20th July, and from 20tli to 
30th August. 

Statement to be furnished, containing 

1st. The age and breed of Cow, and time of calving. 

2d. The quantity of milk in weight, and also of butter, dur- 
ing each period of ten days. 

3d. The butter made to be exhibited with the Cow, at the 
Fair, and the statement to be verified by the affidavit of com- 
petitor and one other person conversant with the facts. 

Judges. — Wm. Somerville, Ellkottville; David Sandei'S, Per- 
ry shurg; Sylvester M. Cox, Otto; Nath'l Manley, Mansfield; 
Samuel Allen, Randolph. 



Class 3. — Working Oxen, over 4 years old. 

Team of G yoke oxen, owned in one town. . .$12 $6 $4 
Single yoke oxen 5 3 2 

A yoke of cattle, competing in teams, cannot compete as a 
single yoke; nor can a single yoke, competing for premium, 
be allowed to compete in the town teams. 

At 3 P. M., Thursday, the working oxen to be thoroughly 
tested on loaded stone-boats, to be entitled to a premium. 

Judges. — John Perkins, East Otto; Jonas K. Button, Frank- 
linville; Thos. Little, Otto; Alson Leavenworth, JSTew Albion; 
E. Culver, Little Valley; Wm. P. Crawford, Bucktooth. 



Class 4. — Steers, 3, 2 and 1 year old. 

Yoke steers, 3 years $5 $3 |2 

2 " 4 2 1 

1 " 3 1 Tr. 

To boys tinder 16, training Steers, to be tested on loaded 
stone-boat, at 3 P. M., Thursday, $3, Ag. books: !it2, Ag. 
books. 



12 

Judges.— Chauncej J. Fox, Ellicottville ; Dari'l Bowen, Con- 
newnngo; Zina Holdridge, JVa^w/i; Wm. Knowlton, Perrysburg; 
Philip S. Pratt, East Otto. 



Class 5. — Sheep. 

Fine wool Buck -14 $2 b49 

4 Ewes 5 3 s49 

4 Lambs 5 3 Tr.. 

South Down Buck 4 2 s49 

" 4 Ewes 5 3 s49 

4 Lambs 5 3 Tr. 

Long wool Buck 4 2 s49 

4 Ewes 5 3 s49 

4 Lambs 5 3 Tr. 

Judges. — N. N. Langmade, J5raf^/brrf, Pa.; Anson Stebbins, 
Otto; Silas Miller, A''apoli; II. W. Wedge, Mansfield; Joseph 
Colman, Great Valley. 



Class 6. — Swine. 

Lot Berkshire Swine, pure $4 $2 Tr. 

" Essex " "..... 4 2 Tr. 

" Suffolk " "....; 4 2 Tr. 

Boar, common 3 2 Tr. 

Breeding Sow, common 3 3 Tr. 

Lot Spring Pigs, " 3 2 Tr. 

Judges. — E. C. Bliss, Westfield, Chautauque Co.; A. W. Steb- 
bins, Mansfield; Nathaniel Bryant, Little Valley; D. C. Brand, 
Leon; J. R. Babcock, Persia. 



Class 7. — Poultry. 

Lot domestic Fowls $3 s75 sl6 

" Turkeys 3 s75 sl6 



13 

Lot Geese $3 s75 slG 

" Ducks 3 s75 sl6 

" Doves ■ 3 s7G sl6 

" Canary Birds 3 s75 slG 

Judges.— R. H. Shankland, D. E. Sill, F. A. Saxon, Ellicott- 

vUk; J. T. Henry, Olean; B. F. Morris, Randolph. 



Class 8. — Plowing and Spading Matches. 
JJt 9 J2. M., Friday. 

Eighth of an acre plowed the best, (with horses or oxen,) in 
one hour. 

$4 $3 $2 Tr. P. 

Rules. — Each plowman to strike his own lands, and plow en- 
tirely independent of adjoining lands. The width of furrow 
to be 11 inches, and not less than 6 inches in depth. The 
teams to start at one time, under direction of the Division 
Marshal, and each plowman to do his work without a driver or 
assistant. 

Ji@°' The Judges will not be present during the trial, but 
when the plowing is completed and the competitors withdrawn, 
they will examine the grounds and make their awards on the 
merit of the work. The Judges will pursue the same course 
on the spading match. 

Spading grounds 20 by 10 feet, and not less than 10 inches 
deep, ill one hour. 

$4 $3 $2 Tr. P. 

Judges. — Spencer Scudder, Randolph; S. Harvey, Mansfield; 
Hugh Orr. Little Valley; Luther Cram, Bucktooth; Jonathan 
Jewell, J^ew Albion. 



SECOND DIVISION. 

HORACE CROSS, Marshal. 
ANiiiALS in this division must be sound; the entries will 



u 

close at 2 P. M., Thursday, and they must be on the Fair 
grounds at 9 A.M., Friday, when they will be arranged by 
the Division Marshal, and the Judges will examine them at the 
hours specified in each class. 

Any person entering teams or single horses, without being 
a bona fide competitor, to evade buying a carriage ticket, will 
be. with his team, ejected from the fair grounds. 



Class 9. — Stallions, Brood Mares with Foals. 

J2t 9 J2.M., Friday. 

Stallions, over 4 years $6 14 s2 

" 3 years and under 4 3 si 

Brood Mare, with foal at her foot 5 3 si 

Judges. — J. W. Ed son, Jl/acAia^; Wm. Cooper, Perrysburg; 
J. C. Benson, Ellicottville; Chas. Noble, Great Valley; E. Mc- 
Millen, Little Valley. 



Class 10. — Gelding and Mare Colts. 
M 10 A.M., Friday. 

Gelding, 3 years old $4 $2 s70 

" 2 " ...3 2 si 

Mare, . 3 " 4 2 s70 

2 " 3 2 si 

Colt, 1 " either sex 2 si s70 

Judges. — L. D. Cobb, Yorkshire; L. D. Chadwick, Perrys- 
burg; Byron Graham, JVew Albion; Wm. Buffington, Cattarau- 
gus; Nathan Crosby, Little Valley. 



Class 11. — Carriage and Saddle Horses. 

At 11 A.M., Friday. 

^®* Racing prohibited. See Rule in Class 12. 



15 



Matched Horses, in harness $6 $4 s2 

Single " " 4 3 si 

Saddle '' " 4 3 s70 

Match draft Horses, " 5 3 s2 

Judges. — Wm. S. Johnson, EUicottville ; Wm. Lootnis, Ma- 

chias; Alonzo Hawlej, Hinsdale; A. 0. Smith, Allegany; P. 
G. Strong, Randolph. 



Class 12. — Equestrianism. 
Jit \}i P.M., Friday. 

'Racing Horses in this (or any other) class is prohibit- 
ed. For a violation of this Rule the offender will not be 
awarded a premium, but will be ejected from the fair grounds. 
Lady Equestrianism, 1st premium, as many dollars as there 
are competitors—not exceeding fS.OO — and lessening one 
dollar for each rider. Should there be more than five com- 
petitors, the sixth, &c., premiums will be paid in books. 
Lady driving Horse with buggy, premiums same as above. 
Each lady may be accompanied by a gentleman. 
Judges. — Sam. Wm. Johnson, Ellicottville ; N. F. Cooper, 
Leon; S. J. Merserau, Portville; E. Price, Coldspring; Henry 
Hoyt, Little Valley. 



THIRD DIVISION. 

A. P. RUSSELL, Marshal. 

Class 13. — Dairy — Sugar — Honey. 

To Dairy Women— 1st. 2d. 3d. 

Butter, 50 lbs Dip. and $6* $4* $2* 

Half doz. Butter Firkins " 2 Tr. P. 

To Girls under 18 years of age — 

Butter, 25 lbs Dip. and $5" $3* $2*=" 



16 



A statement — without signature or marks to indicate the 
maker's name or residence — of the mode of making and pre- 
serving the butter must be attached to each package; a 
duplicate written statement, with signatures, must be given to 
the Secretary at time of entry. 

To Dairy Women — 

Cheese, 100 lbs Dip. and ^G- $4* |2* 

Half doz. Cheese boxes '^ 2 Tr. P. 

A written statement of the mode of making cheese must be 
given to the Secretary at the time of entry. 



* To be paid in Silver Ware. . 

Maple Sugar, 25 lbs Dip. and $2 $1 s62 

The process of manufacturing and clarifying must accom- 
pany the samples offered. 

Honey, 20 lbs $2 s62 s64 

Judges. — J. J. Guernsey, Randolph; Enos Austin, Cattarau- 
gus; J. K. Comstock, Olean; N. M. Allen, Dayton; J. R. 
Fitch, Little Valley. 



Class 14. — Flour, Bread, Grain 

Bbl. Flour Dip. and $3 

do Crackers. Dip. and 2 

Domestic Flour Bread , 

do Brown do 

Wheat, 1 bushel 



Corn 


do 


Oats 


do 


Rye 


do 


Barley 


do 


Beans 


do 


Peas 


do 



Seed Corn, 20 ears braided 



^3 


s7 


Tr 


2 


s7 


Tr 




s8 


Tr. 




s8 


Tr 




s7 


P. 




s7 


P. 




s8 


P. 




s8 


P. 




s9 


P. 




s9 


P. 




s9 


P. 




s9 


P. 



17 



In deciding upon Flour exhibited, tlie premiums to be award- 
ed for the best barrel of Flour made from the least quantity of 
Wheat, to be accompanied by a statement of the actual quan- 
tity of Wheat used in the manufacture of a barrel of Flour, 
and the Wheat to be grown in this county. 

JuDCxEs. — John BoQ-i'dman, Bucktooth; Fuller Bucklin, Little 
Valley; Addison Crowley, Randolph: S. ]\IcCoy, Ellicottville; 
II. Frcncli, East Randolph. 



Class 15. — Fruit. Flowers, Wl\e. 

Apples, 1 bushel $1 slO Tr. 

Fears, i do 1 ell Tr. 

Peaches, 1 peck 1 slO Tr. 

Quinces, do 1 slO Tr. 

Plums, do 1 slO Tr 

Grapes, 1 pound 1 s73 P. 

Tomatoes, ^ peck 1 slO P. 

Preserved fresh Fruit 1 s-14 P. 

Dried Apples, Peaches, or Plums, each. 1 sil P. 

House Plants, 4- doz. pots 2 sG8 P. 

Floral design or ornament 2 sG9 P. 

Quart Currant or Elderberry Wiuu... 1 sTO P. 

Judges. — Benj. Chaml)erlain, Randolph; L. ?. Jenks, Gc- 
wanda; Thos. ^tlorri^-, Ellicottville ; S. T. Ivelsey, Gnat Valky; 
L. Whitney, Olean. 



Class 1(5. — Vegetables. 

Potatoes, A bushel $1 

Beets, do 1 

Turnips, do 1 

Carrots, do 1 

Onions, do 1 

Caulidowers, ^ doz. heads 1 

2 



sO 


Tr. 


s9 


Tr. 


s9 


Tr. 


s9 


Tr. 


s9 


Tr. 


s9 


Tr. 



18 



Cabbage, -| doz. heads $1 s9 Tr. 

Radishes, 1 2 summer 1 s9 Tr. 

do 12 winter .1 s9 Tr. 

Squashes, lot of 3 1 s9 Tr. 

Pumpkins, do 1 s9 Tr. 

Largest variety of the above Vegetables, not less than 8 
kinds, raised and owned by the exhibitor, in addition to speci- 
fic premiums s7 s37 

For 6 new varieties, not enumerated above, of quantities 
specified above s25 s22 

Judges. — R. Lamb, Ellicottvilk; C. W. Fuller, Little Valley; 
J. A. Kinnacut,jVei« y5/6ton; Horace Prescott, Jlfoc/iia*; Solo- 
mon Plowe, Yorkshire. 



Class 17. — Farms and Field Crops. 

Best conducted Grain and Grazing Farm — a Life Membership. 
Best conducted Dairy Farm, do do 

Corn, 1 acre, over 70 bushels $3 $2 870 

Wheat, do do 35 do 3 2 s76 

Oats, do do 40 do 3 2 s76 

Barley, do do 35 do 3 2 sl9 

Rye, do do 30 do 3 2 sl9 

Buckw't,do do 30 do 3 2 sl9 

Potatoes, I acr. do 100 do 3 2 sl7 

Carrots, ^ acr. do 200 do 3 2 sl7 

Turnips, \ acr. do 50 do 3 2 sl7 

Judges. — J. G. Staunton, Ellicottvilk; Porter "Welch, Per- 
sia; Peter Ten Broeck, Farmersville; John Green, Great Val- 
ley; Levi B. Eddy, Mansfield. 



Class 18. — Quilts and Blankets. 

Bed Coverlet, silk, $3 $2 s36 

do cotton 3 2 s36 

do wool 3 2 b36 



19 

Bed Quilt, silk $3 $2 s36 

do cotton 3 2 s36 

Bed Spread 3 2 s3G 

Judges. — Mrs. J. J. Gurnsey, Randolph; Mrs. H. H. Holt, 
East Randolph; Mrs. L. S. Jenks, Gaujanrfa; Mrs. Ira R. Jones, 
Leon; Mrs. G. Barrow, Little Valley. 



Class 19. — Caepets, Rugs, Flannel. 

Carpet, Rag... . $3 %2 s36 

" Striped or fancy 3 2 s36 

" Star 3 2 s6 

Hearth Rug 1 0.75 sl6 

Lamp Mats 1 0.75 sl6 

Flannel, 10 yards White 3 2 s36 

" 10 " plaid or striped 3 2 s36 

Judges. — Mrs. C. Morgan, Leon; Mrs. J. W. Edsoa Machi- 
as; Mrs. P. G. Strong, Randolph; Mrs. L. Tracy, Mew Albion; 
Mrs. J. R. Fitch, Little Valley. 



Class 20. — Embroidery, Paintings, (fee. 

Embroided Skirt 1 2 $1 50 

Collar 1 0.75 50 

Undersleeves 1 0.75 50 

Cape 1 0.75 50 

Shawl 2 1 50 

Shoes 1 0.75 50 

Painting, in oil 2 1 50 

" water colors 2 1 50 

ambrotypes 1 & D. D. P. 

" daguerreotypes 1 & D. D. P. 

" crayons 2 1 50 

" penciling 2 1 60 



20 



Table or other Covers $1 $0.75 50 

Tidy 1 0.75 50 

Hose, cotton 1 0.75 50 

" woolen 1 0.75 75 

Mittens, do 1 0.75 50 

Gloves, do 1 0.75 50 

Judges.— 'Mrs. C. I\[cGlaslian, Connewango ; Mrs. E. W. 
Cooper, Leo7i; Mrs. C. V. B. Barse, Olean; Mrs. C. S. Trevitt, 
EUicottvilk; Mrs. Lorenzo Stratton, Littk Valley. 



Class 21. — Miscellaneous. 

Miscellaneous articles of merit not enumerated in any other 
class, will receive premiums in money of $1, 50 cts.. Diplomas, 
Transactions, or Patent Office Reports, at the discretion of the 
Judges. 

Judges. — Wm. H. Carap and Lady, Randolph; W, L. Haven 
and Lady, Pcrryshurg; Geo. Van Campen and Lady, Alle- 
gany; B. F. Chamberlain and Lady, East Randolph. 



FOUHTH DIVISION. 

NATHAN CROSBY, Marshal. 

Class 22. — Plows, — Farming Tools. 

Plow $2 & D. 

" sub-soil 1 & D. 

" sub-hill 1 & D. 

Harrow , Tr. 

Cultivator 1 & D. 

Grain drill D 

Seed sower D 

MowinGc raacliine D 

Horse ralce ]) 

Grain cradle D 



Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 


Tr. 


P. 



21 



Fannino; mill D. Tr. P 

Hay and Straw Cutter §1 tfe D. Tr. P 

Ox yoke Tr. Tr. P 

Cheese press D. Tr. P 

'' sicamcr D. Tr. P 

Churn . D. Tr. P 

Judges. — Elijah Hixwkms, Persia ; Stephen Gladdin;^,", JVqjo/?"; 
Howard Puller, Cold Sprivg; Luther Chadwick, Perryshurg; 
P. C. Brainard, Bucklooth. 



Class 23. — Cakeiages and H.\rness. 

Wagon, 2 horse farm $3 & D. Tr. P 

democrat 3 & D. Tr. P 

Buggy 3 & D. Tr. P 

Cutter 2 & I). Tr. P 

Ox Cart 2 & D. Tr. P 

Harness, 2 horse 2 & D. Tr. P 

single 2 & D. Tr. P 

Judges. — Ashabel Bushnell, Mapoli; Jas. Nelson, Great Val- 
ley; A. Y. Dockstadcr, Conneivango; C. Morgan, Leon; N. G 
Otis, East Randolph. 



Class 24. — Manufactures. 

2 Doors D. 

2 Sashes 1). 

3 pairs Blinds D. 

Specimens Cabinet ware $3 & D 

" Tin ware 2 & T> 

" Blacksmith's work .... 2 & D 

" Shoemaker's Avork 2 tfc D 

Tailor's work 2 & D 

Leather 1 ct D 

" Stone ware 1 A: D 

Judges. — C. C. Rice, Okan; Wm. Penney, Little Valley; 
Anson G. Scager, Connewavgo; W. H. Eddy, Ma-asjicld; P 
B. Harrington, Ellicottvillc. 



Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
I'r. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 



.A.C3rH.IOTTXjTTTH.ja.Ij ISOOSSIS. 



C. M. S^XTON^ & COMPANY, 

140 FUJL,TOJ¥ ST., MEW YOItK, 
PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING BOOKS FOE THE COUNTKT, 



And will send them, Free of Postage, to any part of U. S. upon receipt of Price. 



1 Dadd'8 Modern Horse Doctor, $1 

2 Dadd's Anatomy and Physiology of 

the Horse, 2 

3 Badd s " " " " colored plates, 4 

4 Dadd's Am. Cattle Doctor, 1 

5 The Stable Book, 1 

6 The Horse's Foot, and how to keep 

it Sound; paper 25 ct3., cloth... 

7 Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant, . . 1 

8 " Florist's Guide, i cl. 50, cL 
" Gardener's Instructor, i cl. 

60 cts., cl 

10 " Fruit Cultivator, i cl. 50, cl. 

11 Field's Hand-Book of Pear Culture, 
id 50, cl 

12 Cole's Am. Fruit Book, 

13 Cole's Am. Veterinarian, 

14 Buist's Am.FIower Garden Directory 1 

15 Buist's Family Kitchen Gardener, . . 

16 Browne's Am. Bird Fancier; paper 
'25 cts , cloth 

17 Dana's Muck Manual, cloth 1 

18 Dana's Prize Essay on Manures, — 

19 Stockhardt's Chemical Field Lectures 1 

20 Norton's Scientific & Pract. Agricul. 

21 Johnston's Catechism of Agricultural 
Chemistry (for Schools) 

Johnston's Elements of Agricultural 
Chemistry and Geology, 1 

Johnston's Lectures on Agricultural 
Chemistry and Geology, 1 

24 Downing's Landscape Gardening,.. 3 

25 Fessenden's Complete Farmer and 
i. Gardener, 1 

26 " Am. Kitchen Gardener, cl. 

27 Nash's Progressive Farmer, 

23 Richardson's Domestic Fowls, 

29 Eichardson on the Horse, 

SO Ivichardson on the Hog, 

81 Eichardson on the Pests of the Farm, 

82 Eichardson on the Hive & HoneyBee, 

38 Milburn and Stevens on the Cow and 

Dairy Husbandry, 

3t Skinner's Elements of Agriculture, .. 
85 Topham s Chemistry Made Easy, . . . 

28 Breck's Book of Flowers, 1 

37 Luclmr's Hot Houses & Green Houses, 1 

83 Chinese Sugar Cane & Sugar Making, 

39 Turner's Cotton Planter s Manual, . . 1 

40 Allen on the Culture of the Grape 1 

41 Allen on Diseases of Domestic Animals, 

42 Allen's American Farm Book, 1 

43 Allen's Eural Architecture, 1 

44 Pardee on the Strawberry, 

45 Pedder's Farmer's Land Measurer, . . 60 I 83 



00 


46 




47 


00 




00 


48 


00 




00 


49 




50 


50 




50 


51 


fiO 






52 


m 


bS 


60 


54 


60 


55 


60 


56 


60 




25 


67 


75 


58 


60 


59 


00 




25 


60 


00 


61 


60 


62 




63 


25 


64 




ri5 


00 


06 


?5 


67 


50 


6y 


^5 


69 


50 


70 
71 


fiO 






V'5 




vr> 


<3 


25 


V4 


25 


75 


145 


76 




77 


25 




7S 


ii5 


79 


25 


00 


81 


25 


SI 


25 


82 


00 


S:? 


00 


84 










00 


S6 


25 


86 


60 


87 



Phelps' Bee-keeper's Chart, 

Guenon's Treatise on Milch Cows; 

paper 88 cts., cloth 

Gunn's Domestic Medicine — a book 
for every married man and woman 8 

Eandall's Sheep Husbandry, 1 

Touatt, Eandall, and Skinner's Shep- 
herd's Own Book, 2 

Touatt on the Breed and Manage- 
ment of Sheep, 

Touatt on the Horse, 1 

Touatt, Martin, ifc Stevens, on Cattle 1 
Touatt and Martin on the Breeds and 

Management of the Hog, 

Munn's Practical Land Drainer, . . . 
Stephens' Book of the Farm, com- 
plete, 450 illustrations, 

The American Architect, or Plans 

for Country Dwellings, 6 

Thaer, Shaw, & Johnson's Principles 

of Agi'iculture, 2 

Smith's Landscape Gardening, Parks 

end Pleasure Grounds, 1 

"Weeks on the Bee : paper 25 cts., cl. 
Wilson on Cultivation of Flar, .... 
Miner's Am. Bee-keeper's Manu.il, . . 1 
Quinby's Mysteries of Bee-keeping, . 1 

Cottage and Farm Bee-keeper, 

Elliott's Am. Fruit Grower's Guide, . 1 

The American Florist's Guide, 

Hyde on the Chinese SugarCane paper, 
Ever}' Lady her own Fldwcr Gar- 
dener ; paper 25 cts., cloth 

TheEose Culturist ; paper 25 cts., ci. 

History of Morgan Horses, 1 

Saxton's Eural Hand Books, 4 vols., 5 
Eabbit Fancier; paper 25 cts., cloth 
Eeemelin's 'Vino-Dresser's Manual,. 
Neil's Fruit, Flower, and Vegetable 

Gardener's Companion, 1 

Browne's American Poultry Tard,. 1 
Browne's Field Book of Manures, . . 1 

Hooper's Dog ami Gun, 

Skillful Housesvife; paper 25 cts., cl. 
Chorlton's Grape Grower's Guide; 

paper 50 cts., cloth 

"White's Gardening for the South, 1 
Eastwood on the Cranberry, 
Persoz on the Culture of the Vine,. 
Boussinganlt's Eural Economy, . . . 
Thompson's Food of Animals; paper 

50 cts., cloth 

Eichardson on Dogs; paper 25 cts , cl 
Liebig's Famili.ar Letters to Farmers, 
Cobbett's American Gardener, 
Waring's Elements of Agriculture, . 



25 



00 
25 

00 

75 
25 

25 

75 
50 

4 00 
00 
00 

25 

50 

25 

1 00 

1 00 

50 

1 25 

75 

25 

60 

50 

1 00 

5 00 
50 
60 

1 00 

1 00 

1 25 

50 

50 

60 
1 25! 

60 ; 

25 
1 25 

75 
60 
50 
50 
75 



J3 Y-L A.AV 

or THE 

CATTAKAUGUS CO" 




(As amended to August lOtli, 1857.) 



P R E A IVl B L E . 

Sec. 1. The style and corporate name of this Society is the 
" Cattaraugus County Agricultural and Horticultural 
Society." It -was organized on the 28 th day of January, 1856, 
under authority of an Act of the Legislature of tlie State of 
New York, passed April 13, 1855. 

Said Act is printed in Volume fourteen, "Transactions of 
the New York State Agricultural Society, 1854," pages vi. 
to X.; and 

Said Act is hereby declared to be the Constitution of this 
Society. 

This Society is a reorganization of the "Cattaraugus County 
Agricultural Society," originally formed on the 11th day of 
November, 1841. 

The objects of this Society are — To improve the condition 
of Agriculture, Horticulture, Household and Mceluinic Arts, 
within the County of Cattaraugus, by means of Essays, Ad- 
dresses, Annual Fairs, and Prizes for meritorious productions 
in each department. 



24 



OFFICERS. 

§ 2. The officers of this Society are a Tresident, Vice- 
Peesident, Secretary, and Treasurer; 

Who shall be elected annually by ballot, and hy a nmjority 
of the votes cast; and • 

SIX DIRECTORS, 

Two of whom shall be elected nnniially by ballot, and by a ma- 
jority of the votes cast, and shall hold their oflice for thi-ee 
years. The Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be 
residents of the Town v/licre the Fairs are held. The above 
officers constitute a "Board of jManageIrs." 

§ B. The Board of Managers may appoint a Vice-President 
in each town in the County, excepting in the town where the 
Society is located. 

§ 4. No person shall be elected to office who is not a mem- 
ber of this Society. 

§ 5. Vacancies in office shall be filled only in the modes 
prescribed in Sections 2 and 3, and at a monthly meeting, 

MEMBERSHIP. 

§ 6. Membership in this Society begins on the first day of 
January, and terminates on the thirty-first day of December : 
Provided nevertheless, the officers named in Section 2 shall hold 
over in the next year until the election of their successors. 

§ 7. Any resident of this State may become a Member of 
this Society by paying One Dollar to the Treasurer. Members 
shall be furnished with tickets entitling them to enter proper- 
ty to compete for prizes, and admit the owner, lady, and minor 
children to the Fairs— or a 

§ 8. Life Member, with all the privileges of annual mem- 
bership, by paying Ten Dollars to the Treasurer at one time, 
who shall be furnished with a diploma certificate of life mem- 
bership, and with admission tickets each year, with the owner's 
permanent number thereon. 



25 



§ 9. IIoN'ORARY Membership may be conferred upon non- 
residents of tills comity, as a mark of respect for services 
rendered in any dcparlnient coining witliin the objects of this 
Society; and such persons sliall be furnished witli certificates 
of the fact, and the President shall annually furnish each one 
■with a " Conrplinientary Ticket." 

§ 10. PucLisiiER.s OF Newspapers in this County, wlio pub- 
lish the Society's notices, are liereby constituted inembers of 
this Society; and the Treasurer shall annually issue to each 
publisher a Member's Ticket, and charge the Society there- 
with. • 

MISCELLANEOUS FAIR TICKETS. 

§ 11. Any member of this Society may enter the Fair 
grounds with horses and carriage, by buying of the Treasurer 
a Ticenty-five (^ent Carriage Ticket, Avhich he shall give to 
the door-keeper before entering. 

§ 12. Any Peddler, by buying of the Treasurer a Peddler's 
Ticket at Two Dollars, and an additional ticket for each 
assistant at One Dollar, may enter the Fair grounds and sell 
goods, except li(|uors of all kinds of an intoi-icating nature, 
the sale of which is hereby forbidden on the Fairgrounds; but 
he shall be subject to the orders of the President in his loca- 
tion, and shall not sell at auction during the delivery of Ad- 
dresses or reading Reports. 

§ 13. During the Fairs the Treasurer shall sell Single 
Admission Tickets at One Shilling each. 

§ 14. The President may issue Complimentary Tickets 
at discretion, with the advice of the Board of Managers. 

BOARD OF MANAGERS. 

§ 15. The authority hereby vested in the Board of Mana- 
gers is (vide Cons.) 

1st. To hold monthly meetings at the same time and place 
with the Society; and special meetings on the call of the 
President. 



26 



2d, To make all appropriations and investments of tlie 
Society's moneys, but only at monthly meetings; provided, if 
the funds will warrant, they may extend the premiums during 
the Fairs. 

3d. To vote the premiums to be awarded by the Society 
at the Annual Fairs, and the amount of the Treasurer's bond. 

4th. To appoint Adjudging, Revising, and Finance Com- 
mittees, Marshals, Door-keepers, and Police for the Fairs. 

5th. To fix annually the amount of compensation to the 
Secretary and Treasurer, and the amount to be paid to 
Policemen at the Fairs. . 

6th. To establish a Library, to be the property of the 
Society, by purchase and donations, and make rules for its 
care, extension, and use; and 

7th. To purchase or lease real and personal property, neces- 
sary for the use of the Society. 

ANNUAL AND MONTHLY MEETINGS. 

§ 10. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Society, to 
be held in the village of Little Valley, on the first Saturday 
in January, at 1 o'clock, P.M., for the election of Officers, and 
reports of Officers and Committees of the preceding year. 

§ IT. Monthly Meetings of the Society shall be held on 
t\\Q first Saturday in each month, (except January,) at 1 o'clock, 
P. M., in the village of Little Valley, for the discussion of 
questions coming within the "objects" of the Society, and for 
the transaction of general business. 

ANNUAL FAIRS 

§ IS. Of this Society shall be held in the village of Little 
Valley, on the third Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the 
month of September — the programme to be arranged by the 
Board of Managers; and the following Regulations must be 
strictly adhered to, and should be printed on the Fair Show 
Bills: 

I. All property must be entered in the name of the bona fide 



27 

owners; and Grain, Fruit, and Vegetables, Dairy Products, 
Household and Mechanic Manufactures, must have been raised 
and made by the exhibitors thereof. 

II. Stock (except horses) must be entered upon the Secre- 
tary's books during Wednesday, be on the Fair Grounds by 10 
A. M., Thursday, and remain until 8 P. M., Friday; entries of 
horses and all other property, and for plowing or trial match- 
es, will close at 2 P. M., Thursday; and horses, of all kinds, 
must be on the Fair Grounds by 9 A. M., Friday, and remain 
until 3 P.M.; equestrian entries will close at 9 A.M., Friday. 

III. Competitors on Dairy Products must give in writing 
the mode of manufacture; on Crops, the soil, tillage, amount 
of land, quantity per acre, by weight, according to the New 
York standard of 1857, cost of raising, &c., verified on oath. 
The Committee on Crops must bo furnished with statements 
and samples of grain by competitors, on or before the 1st Sat- 
urday in December, and the awards will be made at the An- 
nual Meeting. 

IV. No Animal or Article can compete but for a single 
premium. 

V. Premiums will not be paid on Animals or Articles of 
inferior merit, although there may be no competition. 

VI. No person shall act as a Judge for awarding premiums, 
for which he is any way a competitor. 

VII. No member, not a resident of this County, shall com- 
pete for prizes, (except Diplomas and Transactions,) at any 
Fair of this Society. 

VIII. Any person who shall knowingly violate the regula- 
tions of the Society, or who shall seek to obtain a premium 
by false pretences, or by improper interference with the Judg- 
es, shall be excluded from competitors. 

IX. Hay for Stock on exhibition during the Fair, shall be 
furnished by the Society gratis. 

X. Door and Gate Keepeos are prohibited from receiving 
money for admissions to the Fair Grounds, and must return all 
tickets received for admissions immediately to the Secretary. 



28 



AN ADJUDGING COMMITTEE 

§ 19. Shall be appointee], consisting- of five or more per- 
sons, to examine and award premiums in each class of property 
exlnbited at the Annual Fairs; three of whom shall form a 
quorum. 

A REVISING COMMITTEE 

§ 20. Shall be appointed at the monthly meeting in Sep- 
tember, consisting of three members of the Society, (not mem- 
bers of any adjudging committee,) to examine the entries on 
the Secretary's books and the awards of the several adjudging 
committees, see that the regulations are complied with by com- 
petitors and committees, and report. to the Board of Managers 
daring the Fairs: and after the Revising Committee's Reports 
are accepted, the President shall announce the awards. 

A FINANCE COMMITTEE 

§ 21. Shall be appointed at the monthly meeting in Decem- 
ber, consisting of three members of the Society, to examine 
the books and vouchers of the Secretai-y and Treasurer, and 
report at the Annual Meeting; and also to report the receipts, 
expenditures, liabilities, resources, and amount and condition 
of the Society's property. 

PRINTING COMMITTEE. 

§ 22. The President and Secretary shall procure annually, 
by contract, the necessary printing for the Society. 

ANNUAL REPORTS 

§ 23. To the Secretary of the State Agricultural Society, 
shall bo made by the President, Secretary and Treasurer of 
this Society, immediately after the annual meeting. (Vide § 9 
Cons.) 

PRESIDENT'S DUTIES. 

§ 24. The President shall preside at all meetings of the 
Society, or of the Board of Managers; see that the Constitu- 



29 



tion and Cy-Laws are complied witli; have general supervision 
of the Fairs; see that the rules are strictly enforced, and that 
the officers and employees of the Society faithfully perform 
their duties; draw his warrant on the Treasurer for the pay- 
ment of all moneys voted by the Board of Managers, and none 
other; and for the delivery of miscellaneous premiums, other 
than money. 

In the absence of the President, the above duties shall be 
performed by the elective Vice-President. 

SECRETARY'S DUTIES. 

§ 25. It shall be the duty of the Secretary — 

1st. To record the proceedings of each meeting of the So- 
ciety and Board of Managers, and enter upon the record the 
names of the members of the Board present at such meetings. 

2d. To certify to the Treasurer copies of all resolutions 
appropriating moneys, and miscellaneous premium.s other than 
money. 

3d. To countersign and keep a register of all warrants 
drawn on the Treasurer by the President, for the payment of 
the Society's moneys, and miscellaneous premiums other than 
money. 

4di. To carry on die correspondence, issue notices, prepare 
the premium lists, (voted by the Board of Managers,) and 
Transactions of the Society and of the Board of Managers, for 
publication. 

5th. To prepare certificates of "Lite ^fcmbership" and 
'•Honorary Membership," and deliver them to such members; 
prepare miscellaneous premiums, (other than money.) deliver 
them to the Treasurer, and take his receipt therefor. 

t)th. To prepare " Members," "• Life Members," " Single Ad- 
mission," "Carriage," and " Peddler's tickets," keep distinct 
accounts of each class of tickets, deliver them to the Treas- 
urer, and take his receipt therefor. 

7th. To enter, class, and number all property designed for 
exhibition at the Annual Fairs; when the entries are closed, 



30 

prepare duplicate lists of the entries for the n?e of the several 
Adjudging Committees: Provided, that no entry of property 
shall be made by the Secretary unless tlie owner thereof pre- 
sents a member's ticket. 

8th. To act as Librarian for the Society. 

9th. The Secretary shall not hold any oLher office enumer- 
ated in §§ 2, 3, 19, 20, and 21. 

TREASURER'S DUTIES. 

§ 26. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer— 

1st. To receive and take charge of all funds, securities, 
and vouchers of the Society. 

2d. To receive from the Secretary registered " Members," 
" Life Members," and "Peddler's" tickets, "Carriage" and "Sin- 
gle Admission" tickets, which he shall sell at the prices fixed 
by §§ 7, 8, 11, 12, and 13. He shall keep distinct accounts of 
each class of tickets, the numbers of the tickets, names and res- 
idence of purchasers, and write their names and residence 
plainly upon the face of the registered tickets, per form § 8. 

3d. To pay all orders drawn on him by the President or 
Vice-President, from moneys appropriated for the purpose 
named in the order, which orders must be numbered and coun- 
tersigned by the Secretary; and deliver miscellaneous premi- 
ums, other than money, upon like orders; and he is hereby for- 
bid paying moneys of the Society in any other manner. 

4th. To keep accounts of the financial operations of the 
Society; exhibiting clearly and fully the receipts, from the 
State and all other sources, disbursements, investments, and 
cash in his hands; make concise statements thereof monthly; 
have his books and vouchers open to the inspection of the So- 
ciety, at the stated meetings, and of the Board of Managers, 
or Finance Committee, on demand. 

5th. At the close of the fiscal year, (Friday before the 1st 
Saturday in January,) he shall make a full report, in writing, 
of the entire business of his office; and deliver all funds, se- 
curities, books and papers of his office to his successor, or to 
the Board of Managers. 



31 



6th. Before entcrin*^ upon the duties of his offce, he shall 
execute a bond, with two sureties, in the sum of not less than 
one thousand dollars, to the acceptance of the Board of Mana- 
gers, which acceptance shall be endorsed on the bond by at 
least six of their number. The bond shall run to the Presi- 
dent and Directors, and to their successors in office, and be 
kept by the President. 

7th. The Treasurer shall not hold any other office enum- 
erated in §§ 2, 3, 19, 20, and 21. 

AMENDMENTS. 

§ 27. These By-Laws, after the monthly meeting in May, 
1856, shall not be suspended, amended, or repealed, except ai 
an annual or monthly meeting of the Society, and by a two- 
thirds affirmative vote of all the members present, after six 
months' notice has been submitted in writing by two members. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



The Society take great pleasure iu acknowledging from 

Col. Lewis G. Moiims, Mount Fordbam, a copy of " Davy's 
Devon Herd Book," American Edition. 

Col. B. P. Johnson, Secretary New York State Agricultu- 
ral Society, " Transactions N. Y. State Agricultural Society," 
and Seeds. 

The Commissioner of Patents, " Patent Office Reports," 
and Seeds. 

Hon. Francis S. Edwards, M.C, a very large number of 
Public Documents, and Seeds. 

Hon. Reuben E. Fenton, M.C, several valuable Public 
Documents. 

Prof. Joseph Henry, Secretary, for a full set of " Reports 
of the Smithsonian Institution," to 1855. 

LETTERS FROM HONORARY MEMBERS 'OF THE SOCIETY. 

Agricultural Rooms, Albany, April 6tk, 1851. 
John Maxley, Esq., Se,c''y Ca'Jnraugns Ag. Soc. 

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the reception of jour 
letter advising me of my election as an honorary member of the Cat- 
taraugus Agricnltural and Horticultural Society. Nothing can be 
more grateful to me than the apj^robation of the farmers of New 
York, for whose benefit I have labored for many years, to the best 
of my ability; and the assurance of approl)atioa by the respected So- 
ciety of Cattaraugus will ever be cherished ly me with the liveliest 
eraolious of gratitude. 

Be pleased to communicate to the Society my best thanks for the 
honor conferred, with an assurance that I shall, to the best of my 
ability, aid them in the noble work in which they are engaged. 

For the kind manner in which you have conveyed the proceedings 
of the Society, I am greatly obliged. 

Very respectfully your ob't serv't, 

B. P. joexsoN. 



33 



Mount Fordham, April 22d, 185T. 
John- Manley, Sec'y, ^c, Litlle Valley. 

Dear Sir : — Your beautifully gotten up certificate electing me au 
honorary member of your Society, was duly received, as was also the 
very complimentai'y letter accompanying it. 

Please present for me, at your next meeting, my sincere acknowl- 
edgments; I only hope I may be deserving of a small portion of 
their high encomiums. 

1 remain yours, very respectfully, 

L. G. MORRIS. 



Black Hack, Aivil 1th, 1857. 

Dear Sir: — Your favor of 2d instant, accompanied by a certificate 
of honorary membership in the Cattaraugus County Agricultural and 
Horticultural Society, is received, with many thanks for the compli- 
mentary terms in which it is presented. I thank you for this unde- 
served appreciation of ray humble merits and labors in a worthy 
cause. 

Be pleased to present my acknowledgments to your Board of Man- 
agers, and accept for yourself, personally, my best consideration. 

Very truly and respectfully your friend and ob't serv't, 

LEWIS F. ALLEN. 

John Manley, Esq., Secretary, S^-c, ^yc. 



Ncio York, April Cdk, 1851. 
John Manley, Esq., Secretary. 

Dear Sir: — Your esteemed favor of the 4th inst., accomj)aiiying a 
certificate constituting me an honorary member of your Society, was 
duly received. 

Please accept for yourself and the Society you so ably represent 
my warmest thanks for the honor thus conferred, and my assurances 
of a hearty co-operation in your efforts to promote the interests of 
Horticulture and Agriculture. 

I remain yours, very truly, 

C. M. SAXTON. 
3 



34 

Fredonia, April Uth, 1857. 
John Manley, Esq. 

My Dear Sir: — I have the pleasure of acknowledging tliroiigb you 
as Secretary, &c., the receipt of a certificate constituting the under- 
signed an honorary member of the " Cattaraugus County Agricultu- 
ral and Horticultural Society." 

The favor, in my own mind, possesses a peculiar consequence from 
the fact that it originated from those who were almost as strangers to 
each other. 

It was as beautiful as it was unexpected, and I shall ever cherish 
■with feelings of more than kindly regard those who have been so 
earnest in its procurement. 

I fear I shall fail in meriting the good wishes of the numerous 
friends of agricultural science in your county, but such offerings ;is I 
may have are at your command. 

Please convey to the several officers of your Society my warmest 
assurances for their health and prosperity, and my grateful thanks for 
their beautiful compliment. 

Your obedient servant, 

F. S. EDWARDS. 



Frewshurg, July 23i, 185t. 

Dear Sir: — I owe you an apology for so long neglecting to ac- 
knowledge your favor of April 8th, informing me of my election as 
an honorary member of the Cattaraugus County Agricultural and 
Horticultural Society. 

Tile honor of being esteemed worthy of a place with the members 
of your Society, would seem to demand an immediate response; and 
while I have allowed pressing business engagements to occupy my 
mind to the neglect of this, I beg to assure you that I am not insen- 
sible to the honor conferred, nor wanting in grateful appreciation for 
the (lattering terms you are pleased to employ in communicating the 
intelligence. 

I wish I had time to speak of the delights and advantages of that 
most noble of human pursuits, for the advancement of which your 
Society is founded. In all ages, among re6ned and civilized nations, 
the pursuit of agriculture has constituted a favorite theme for the best 



35 



and most exalted miuds; and really, a people can furnish no stronger 
evidence of a high standard of domestic, moral, and intellectual worth 
than by the display of a general taste for rural occupation. Agri- 
culture may be said to be the foundation impulse of society; " it origi- 
nates and carries forward the civilization of our race ;" therefore, re- 
garded not only as the purest of pleasures and the greatest refresh- 
ment that labor can bestow on mind, it is an indication of a Nation's 
having attained the highest degree of freedom and refinement. Thus 
it is that the pursuit which stimulates you to associated efforts in its 
behalf, is worthy of the services, the favor, and the homage of all 
good men; and believing that Societies formed upon the basis and 
with the objects of yours, are calculated to advance this great end, I 
cannot fail to view with pride and congratulation the effort to place 
your Society and the agricultural interests of your people in the front 
rank among the counties of the State. 

With best wishes for you and the Board of Managers personally, 
and the cause in which you are engaged, I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. E. FENTON. 



John Manley, Esq., Secretary, ^-c. 



ABSTRACT OF TREASURER'S REPORT 

0» THS 

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY 

^griniltiinil anb llortintltiiral Sotutg, 

For Ihc yettr en^ittg JOecember 31s/, 1856. 



Receipts: 

501 Member's Ticlcets, at $1 $501 00 

8 Life " " " $10 80 00 

37 Peddler's " " $1 37 00 

4 Carriage " "2s 1 00 

2,4G0 Single Aduiission Tickets, at Is 307 50 

State appropriation 86 00 

Eent of tent 40 00 

Cloth and irons sold 9 66 

Loans of Lorenzo Slratton 200 00 

Total receipts for 1856 . $1,262 16 

Expenditures: 

Premiums of 1854 and 1855 $ 60 50 

of 1856 236 75 

Fence, yards, flag staffs and offices 550 00 

Lease of Fair Grounds for 10 years and renewal .... 11 00 

Blank books, stationery and printing , . 99 25 

Annual Address and Indian Band 100 00 

Hay and water for the Fair 22 20 

Police service during the Fair 51 00 

Re])airing tent 48 07 

Treasurer, Secretary, and assistants 27 50 

Miscellaneous bills, and balance on hand at date .... 55 89 

Total expenditures in 1856. . . • .. $1,262^16 

DANIEL BUCKLIN, Treasurer. 
Little Valley, January 2, 1857. 



37 



Standard Weight of Grain and Vegetables op 
New York. 

[Char. 5fi0, Laws of 1857.] 

An Act to amend section thirty-six of title two of chapter nine- 
teen of part one of the Revised Statutes, relating to Weights 
and Measures, as amended by chapter three hundred and 
seventy-four of the laws of eighteen hundred and thirty-six. 
[Passed April 15, 1857. J 

The People of the State of JYcio York, represented in Senate and 
.'issernhly, do enact as folloios : 

Section 1. Section thirty-six of title two of chapter nineteen 
of pai't first of the Revised Statutes, as amended by chapter 
three hundred and seventy-four of the laws of eighteen hundred 
and thirty-six, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: 

§ 15. Whenever wheat, rye, Indian corn, buckwheat, bar- 
ley, oats, bcaus, peas, clover seed, timothy seed, flax seed, or 
potatoes shall be sold by the bushel, and no special agreement 
shall be made by the parties as to the mode of measuring, the 
bushel shall consist of 

G2 pounds of Beans, 

60 " Wheat, Peas, Clover seed, or Potatoes, 

53 " Indian Corn, 

56 " Rye, 

55 " Flax Seed, 

48 " Buckwheat, or Barley, 

44 " Timothy Seed, and 

32 " Oats. 



38 



CATTARAUGUS COUNTY NEWSPAPERS. 



CATTARAUG-US REPUBIiICAN; 

(DEMOCRATIC,) 

Published Weekly, at Ellicottville. 

Terms: $1.50 per annum. 

F. A. Saxton, Proprietor. 



CATTARAUGUS FREEMAN; 

(REPUBLICAN,) 

Published Weekly, at Elliott ville, 

Teb.ms: $1.50 per annum. 

Delos E. Sill, Proprietor. 



AMERICAN UNION; 

(AMERICAN,) 

Published Weekly, at Ellicottville, 

Terms: $1.50 per annum. 

Robert H. Shankland, Jr., Proprietor. 



RANDOLPH REPORTER; 

(DEMOCRATIC,) 

Published Weekly, at Randolph, 

Terms: SI. 50 per annum. 

B. F. Morris, Proprietor. 



THE OLEAN ADVERTISER; 

(INDEPENDENT,) 

Published Weekly, at Olean 

Terms: $1.50 per annum. 

James T. Henry. Proprietor. 



GOWANDA PHCENIX; 

(Now Suspended,) 

PUBLISHED AT GOWANDA. 

L. S. Morgan, Proprietor. 



39 




;^^5^ 








THE AMERICAN ELK DOMESTICATED. 

[From the Transactions of the State Agricultural Society.] 

Mr. LoEENZO Stratton, of Little Valley, has becu experi- 
menting for a few years past, with a view to test the practica- 
bility of domesticating Elk; and for this purpose enclosed a 
tract of very hilly land, well wooded, for ranging and brows- 
ing. His animals are so amiable that he has driven several 
of them to the three last Fairs of Cattaraugus County, with- 
out difficulty, w^here they attracted great attention. In answer 
to a note of inquiry, Mr. Stratton has kindly furnished the 
following interesting paper, and it is hoped that the sugges- 
tions it contains may attract attention. The success attending 
Mr. Stratton's experiments thus far, certainly argues well for 
more extended eiiorts. 

(from CATTARAUGUS COUNTY REPORT.) 

Mr. John Manley : 

Dear Sir — I have received your letter, asking, as Secre- 
tary of the Cattaraugus County Agricultural and Horticultu- 



40 



ral Society, some statement in relation to my experience in 
domesticating the American Elk, or " Great Wapiti " Deer. 

To commence at the beginning, I came in possession of my 
first pair in the spring of 1853, in the course of trade with 
the agents of a Western Fur Company, who had purchased 
the fawns of a tribe of Indians on some of the head branches of 
the Missouri River. At the time of my purchase I had no 
other object in view than the hope of reproducing a few, and 
having the pleasure of seeing a herd of these magnificent for- 
esters quietly feeding on the identical grounds where nature 
had once planted and provided for their ancestors, in untold 
numbers. In view of their rapid decrease on the approach of 
civilization, and the threatening prospect of exterminating the 
entire race, I have deemed it something more than idle curiosity 
to preserve from destruction some of the characteristics of our 
American forests. It is not yet fifty years since the Elk were 
so numerous in this county that the Indian or pioneer trap- 
per, after finishing his store of provisions for his breakfiist, 
might with confidence expect to sup on a choice cut from the 
surloin of an Elk; and the Indian is now living who can boast 
of killing three Elk in one day, within a hundred rods of 
where you have held your three last Agricultural Fairs; and 
another Indian informs me that he once killed an antlered 
buck within rifle shot of the Cattaraugus Depot, and, as near 
as can now be ascertained, the famous forester fell on the pre- 
cise ground whore since has been reared the elegant and sub- 
stantial residence of Judge Leavenworth. But Avhat a change 
has been wrought since ? It has now been some years since 
the last track of the Elk has been seen in the fastnesses of the 
Pennsylvania woods. It is said there may yet a few be found 
on the western shore of Lake Huron, in the vicinity of the Au 
Sable River, Where next may we find them ? Within some 
six or seven years, herds of hundreds, and perhaps thousands, 
were to be found in the vicinity of St. Paul, Minnesota; but 
now we might as well look for them in Orange County. Their 
western range being large prairies, skirted with narrow strips 
and small patches of woodland, they were easily slaughtered 



41 



and driven off by the lirst settlers; and at the present time 
they are only to be found by at least a week's journey beyond 
the lines of civilization. The first thing that called my atten- 
tion to this matter, as likely to afford any pecuniary profit, 
was a document laid before the Senate by Wm. R. King, Vice- 
President of the United States, and also President of the Sen- 
ate, by Professor S. F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, at 
the instance of Thomas Ewbanks, Commissioner of Patents. 
The substance of which document was a call on the Govern- 
ment for means to procure, domesticate, and re-stock certain 
portions of land in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, and 
other States which were nearly or quite worthless for agricul- 
tural purposes, but would still be a most inviting place for 
this purpose — citing as sufficient proof of its practicability, 
that formerly tliis country produced Elk asntiturally as it does 
now brush and xokite rabbits. 

Now, as I had a pair of Elk and a quantity of this descrip- 
tion of land at the time my attention was called to this view 
of the subject, it readily occurred to me that I might indulge 
my fancy in this business, with a fair prospect of remuneration. 
I therefore set about it in a business way, by purchasing at 
difi'erent times three more Elk, and preparing them a pasture 
of one hundred and twenty-five acres of well-fenced wood- 
land, in which they have now been for three years, without 
any additional expense worth naming, beyond a visit to the 
])ark some three or four times a week, at which times I always 
carry a pocket of corn, oats, or a handful of clover heads, 
in summer, all of which they are very fond: and in this 
way I keep on excellent terms with them. My success in 
domesticating them by this sort of treatment has been quite 
satisfactory; instead of scampering away like wild animals, 
when I approach them, they crowd around me like so many 
pets. My original number, of five purchased Elk, have in- 
creased to ten, with a prospect of an additional increase of 
four next spring. During the winter, and in time of deep 
snows, they gather into a thicket of brush, (which embraces 
about one-half these grounds,) which they trim with great ap- 



42 



parent relish; and notwithstanding the deep snows and severe 
winter of 1855-6, they remained in high order, with no other 
resources than the staddle timber or brush, which they laid 
waste by the acre. The enclosure I have for them would be 
quite sufficient to sustain from fifty to sixty Elk until they have 
destroyed the brush, at which time their pasture would have 
to be extended over new territory, or trees be cut in winter 
for them to browse. Now, in view of the character and price of 
large quantities of laud in this country, and also of the fact 
that these mountain ranges Avere formerly the natural home of 
the Elk, and their perfect susceptibility of domestication, I 
deem it an enterprise of the first importance that portions of 
these lands should be re-stocked with their original denizens; 
and not only to the naturalist, the man of science, but to those 
wishing a profitable investment, it holds out every inducement. 
When we consider the amount of lands in this country only 
fitted for such purposes, I do not hesitate to say that it might 
be made a business of vast importance. While the world is 
being ransacked to obtain rare and foreign animals, which may 
never be acclimated to this country, and whose utility is rather 
questionable, if they should be, the Elk, with all its claims to 
our attention, with scarcely an efi"ort to domesticate, is rapidly 
disappearing from the land. When we consider the short 
space of time (say 50 years) since the Elk ranged the entire 
country between this and the Mississippi River, it is a fair esti- 
mate, with the increased facilities of travel and emigration, 
and what is being done in the Territories of Utah, Nebraska, 
and Dacotah, that within twenty-five years the race will be 
entirely extinct, unless proper means is resorted to for their 
domestication — not a very pleasant prospect, when our forest 
might produce, at comparatively small expense, an abundance 
of venison, the quality of which is the very crowning dish of 
the epicure, adding materially to the wealth and the impor- 
tance of the country. 

The Elk, although having many characteristics of the Deer, 
has yet a strong individuality of his own: it is not particularly 
timid, or liable to stampede or sudden fright like the Deer, 



43 



but depends more upon prowess tliau flight, in case of danger. 
The Elk is not so restless in disposition, and therefore more 
disposed to fatten. I have been much surprised to see my whole 
number (ten) in higher condition than any ten animals that 
could be selected among all the domestic cattle on tlie farm, 
which had the advantage of good pastures. 

The weight of a full-grown buck is from five to six hundred 
pounds; that of a Doe, from four to five hundred. They ma- 
ture at about four years of age. The bucks only, have ant- 
lers, which they shed yearly, like the Deer. The engraving I 
send you does not give very flattering portraits, but the best I 
could get executed in the countrv. 

Yours respectfully, 

LORENZO STRATTON. 

Littk Valley, JY. Y., February, 1857. 



lOGRAPHIES. 



BENJAMIN CHAMBERLAIN. 



It can hardly be expected that, in the brief hniit allowed for that 
purpose, anything like justice can be done to the character and history 
of one of the most remarkable men of Western New York. Yet in 
the general results of his life there is so much of interest and lessons of 
such practical value in his experience and example, that no one can 
contemplate his history without profit, or fail to draw encouragement 
from the evidence he has furnished of what may be accomplished by 
energy and perseverance, even under the most discouraging circum- 
stances. 

Benjamint Chamberlain was born July 31, 1191, in the town of 
Mount Vernon, Kennebec County, in the State of Maine, where he 
resided until he was ten years of age, when his father and his family 
removed to the County of Alleghany, in this State, and settled in the 
town of Belfast, on the Genesee Iliver. At that time the whole of 
Western New York was little better than a wilderness, and the re- 
wards of industry and enterprise here were only to be reached through 
scenes of toil and trials and privations that often tried the sternest 
energies of those who possessed the courage to encounter them. The 
family of Judge Chamberlain were in humble hfe. Their lot was cast 
amongst the millions whose fate it is to toil, endure, and suffer, and to 
win their way to such position of prosperity or distinction as it may be 
their fortune to attain, unaided and alone.' 

At that early period, the educational advantages of this portion of 
the state were extremely hmited. Schools of any description were 
scarcely known, and the instruction of children was mostly confined to 






// 



Ihiblish/-^/ bv Johih il,mJev,/AUl>'l'a//tr.X \ ' A'/J/ 



45 



siK'h iufonnatlou as the parents were al)le to impart, or as might be 
secured by their own unaided efforts. The subject of our sketch had 
none of the advantages that are phxced within tlie reach of the youth 
of the present day, and he was compelled by a stern necessity, not only 
by a want of opportunity, but a want of means, to set out in the jour- 
ney of life without any of the aids derived from a proper training in 
the schools. 

In March, 1801, when only sixteen years of age, Ch.^mberlain left 
his home to commence a career seldom equalled in its leading features, 
among the self-made men of the country. Without money, or clothes, 
exce))t such as were upon his back, barefoot and alone, he went to 
Glean, in this county, in search of employment. This place was then 
known as the village of Hamilton, and was for a long time, and until 
(lie oi)ening of the Erie Canal, known all over the State and New Eng- 
land, and famous as the point where emigrants to the Western States 
of Ohio, Indiaiia, and Illinois began their long journey down the Alle- 
ghany and Ohio Rivers, upon "rafts," and in "flat boats," and such 
other craft as were accustomed to navigate those waters. 

Here he comnaenced work for Major Adam Hoops, the founder of 
the village, and labored diligently, by the month, for five years. His 
employment was mostly in saw-mills, and at the various branches of 
lumbering, which was at that time the principal business of the country. 
The five years here s})ent were unvaried ))y any incident worth relat- 
ing, yet it was the school in which his mind was formed, and the scene 
wlierc his business character was laid. This time of toil was produc- 
tive of jn'ofit, small, it is true, l)ut sufficient for his wants, and still more 
of discipline and preparation. As he increased in years and grew in 
strength, his intellect expanded and his powers enlarged, until the po- 
sition of a laborer in a saw-mill, at w\ages by the month, could no 
longer satisfy his amI)ition or afford a sutficient licld for his energies 
and active capacity for business, and he began to look abroad for ii 
wider avenue to usefulness and wealth. Chances for business adven- 
tuix's, even for men of capital, in a wilderness country as Cattaraugus 
theu was, were extremely limited and rarely to be found. The idea 
formed by Chamberlain', of " setting up in business," without capital, 
without friends or influence, may be regarded as disj)laying more of 
courage and determination than sagacity or discretion. But he pos- 
sessed in his own mind and energies, in his stout heart and iron will, 
a " capital " that not only sujiplied the want of money am] friends, Imt 



46 

a fund that was soou found equal to the emergency. In company with 
a Mr. M'Kay, now deceased, he erected a saw-mill in Great Valley, 
and engaged in the business of lumbering, which he has steadily fol- 
lowed to the present time. After considerable exertion, the mill was 
completed and put in successful operation, and about one hundred 
thousand feet of boards manufactured, ready for the market. At this 
point, the fortitude and courage of the parties were severely tried by a 
terrible calamity. The mill and all the sawed lumber took fire, and 
were entirely consumed. Chamberlain lost all he had in the world, 
and was not only left witliout a dollar, but not entirely free from debts 
contracted in his business; and M'Kay was found to be utterly insol- 
vent. A less hopeful and determined man would have yielded to a 
misfortune so overwhelming; and for a time even his iron enei'gy seem- 
ed paralyzed. At this critical moment he received unexpected encour- 
agement and valuable aid in the warm affection and calm judgment of 
his wife. With a philosophy that no calamity could shake, and a faith 
in the future that nothing could disturb, she counselled her husband to 
a renewed effort to retrieve his fortunes. She called his attention to 
the fact that they were still young, blessed with health and vigor, and 
that with industry, perseverance, and economy they could overcome the 
loss they had sustained, and yet secure a competence. The resolution 
was soon formed to rebuild the mill, and Chasiberlaix set to work 
alone, to procure the means. At this time there was but one mer- 
chant doing business in the county. This was Capt. IIexry De Forest, 
who was trading at Olean. To him Chamberlain applied for aid, and 
told him the story of his loss, and laid before him his plans for the 
future. Capt. De Forest readily granted him a credit of $1,000 in 
goods, which enabled him to reconstruct his mill, and again embark in 
business. We have occasion to know that Chajiberlain attributes his 
successful commencement in the world to Capt. De Forest, and to this 
day regards him in grateful remembrance as the founder of his for- 
tunes. 

At this period, the business of the county was carried on under cir- 
cumstances of great disadvantage. The prices of provisions and fam- 
ily goods were enormously high, and the articles difficult to be pro- 
cured. Flour was $20 per barrel, pork $40, coarse satinet $2. To per 
yard, cotton shirting five shillings a yard, commonly known as " hum 
hum," and coarse l^rogans from $2.50 to $3 a pair. 

It was under sucli circumstances that Chamberlain's second effort 



47 



was begua, aud the obstacles which were overcome may be better un- 
derstood when it is known that all the iron-work for the mill had to be 
transported from Pittsburgh, in canoes, on the Alleghan}* River; and 
pork and flour were obtained in the same laborious and expensive 
manner. 

From the period last mentioned, Mr. Cha.mberlAi.n has been largely 
engaged in lumbering on the Alleghany, and for thirty-five years has 
enjoyed a degree of prosperity and an unbounded credit, seldom secur- 
ed by any individual. He often makes gratefal mention of his friend, 
the Hon. Ai.LEX Ayrault, of Geneseo, who early accommodated him 
with loans, as President of the Livingston County Bank, and never in 
any emergency refused to discount his pa}ver. Tiiroughout the entire 
field of his operations, dnring the long period referred to, his Ijond has 
l^een regarded entirely safe, and his draft honored at sight. 

In conducting his business, his office was not alone that of a mere 
overseer. His hands were alike familiar vfith the axe and the oai", and 
during the earlier years of his career he labored as constantly and as 
hard as any workman in his employ. In his operations he received 
essential aid from his wife, who is no less remarkable in her sphere than 
he in his. While absent at market with his lumber, she directed the 
management at home — employed hands, prepared aud disjiatched the 
boards at every freshet, and maintained the same vigilant and success- 
ful care over the operations of business as though it were her })roper 
place in life. To her should ])e given a large share of credit for the 
achievements of her husband, who now counts his wealth by hundreds 
of thousands, the result of their joint industry, inlelligencc, and perse- 
verance. 

Aside from business transactions, Mr. Chajiberlaix is largely identi- 
fied with the political history of the county. The Act erecting the 
county into separate territory, taken from the old County of Genesee, 
was passed March 11, 1808, but it was not politically organized until 
?slarch IS, 181T, with the following gentlemen as county officers: 
Timothy H. Pouter, First Judge; Sands Boutox, Connfy Ckrk ; 
Israel Curtis, Sheriff; and Jerejiy Wooster, Surrogate. Under 
the old Council of Appointment, Mr. Ciiamberlaix lield the office of 
Sheriff, from February 17, 1820, to June 1, of the same year, and from 
February 12, 1821, to December 31, 1822. By the Constitution of 
1821, the office was made elective by the people, aud at the second 
election, in November, 1825, he vras chosen Sheriff, and served until 



48 



December, 1828. Having- previously served as Associate Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas of the county, with Hon. Alsox Leaven- 
worth as First Judge, Mr. Chajiberlain was appointed by the late 
Gov. Marcy, First Judge of the Common Pleas, of Cattaraugus 
County, Feb. 15, 1833; reappointed by Gov. Marcy, in 1838, for a 
second term of five years, and again appointed for a third term by 
Gov. BoucK, in 1843, and served until June, 184t, when he was suc- 
ceeded by the Hon. Rensselaer Lamb, under the new Constitution of 
1846. Although Judge Chajiberlain had no advantages of educa- 
tion, nor the benefit of legal training, he possessed an unsurpassed prac- 
tical business capacity. To an intuitive knowledge of the motives and 
character of men, he united a sagacity that penetrated clearly the for- 
ensic myths of the bar, enabling him to dispel the legal fogs, sift con- 
flicting evidence, and present every case iu a plain, intelligible manner 
to the jury. His "charges" to juries are remembered as models of 
directness, brevity, and perspicuity; and although not bred a lawyer, 
v.'hile on the liench it was often remarked tliat " he had it the natural 
way." 

In political afliuities, Judge Chamberlain has acted with the Demo- 
cratic Party. Although never a noisy partisan, he has possessed the 
confidence of his party, and frequently been selected as their standard 
bearer. In 1852, he was elected and served as a member of the Elec- 
toral College of New York, which cast the Presidential vote of the 
State for Franklin Pierce and William R. King. 

Judge Chamberlain has participated in all the efforts at improve- 
ment of a public character in the county, and manifested a substantial 
iid:erest in schools, contributing liberally towards the establishment of 
the Randolph uicadcmy, which has attained a just popularity under the 
careful mauagement of the Trustees, of which Board Judge Chamber- 
lain has been tlie President from the begiuniug. The munificent pro- 
visions for endowing a professorship in a neighljoring college, which it 
is understood he contemplates, attest his interest iu the cause of edu- 
cation, and is an honor to his liberality. 

Physically, possessing an " iron constitution," united to large men- 
tal capacity and enduring energy, Judge Chamberlain is one of the 
remarkable men of Western jN^ew York. He at present resides at 
East Randolph, where he enjoys the comforts of an elegant home, and 
is ever ready to welcome his friends with a warm-hearted and generous 
hosjntality, which he and his amiable wife know so well how to dis- 





I'uiUshcd by John Ma/i/cyMlllcVaUcy-.TVY/SS, 



49 

pense. Though now sixty-six years of age, he is one of the most active 
business men in the county. His business extends to farming, himber- 
ing, deahng in lands, mercantile and banking operations, all of which 
come constantly under his careful eye and personal supervision. He 
makes weekly visits to Cuba, sixty-seven miles from his home, to give 
direction to the officers of the Cuba Bank, of which he is President, 
and the principal stockholder. 

The great element in Judge Ciiambkrlaix's success has been an iron 
will and unyielding perseverance. He commenced the great battle of 
life resolved to conquer and overcome, and the results he has accom- 
plished over the opposing forces that beset his early efforts, show how 
wisely and how well he has maintained the contest. In his history, no 
man can fail to fiud encouragement. The most formidable obstacles 
yield to the force of a steady determination, and often when least ex- 
pected the resolute heart finds illustrated, in its own experience, the 
beautiful Irish aphorism, that '^ there is a silver lining to every cloud P 



PETER TEN BROECK. 



Peter Ten Broeck, as his name imports, is of German extraction, 
and was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, on the 1st day of May, 
1793. He was the eldest of five sons, and the second of a family of 
ten children. In 179*1 his father, Reoloff Ten Broeck, a farmer in 
moderate circumstances, removed with his family to Otsego County in 
this State. The country was thinly settled at that time, and schools 
and school-houses "few and far between." Up to the age of 13, young 
Peter had not seen the inside of a school-room, and the little educa- 
tion he possessed had been imparted to him by his mother. The near- 
est school was three miles distant, and there he spent three months in 
the winter of 1806, acquiring a knowledge of figures. He had learned 
to read and write tolerably well at home, and when he came to enter 
the public school he readily acquired a knowledge of "Addition, Mul- 
tiplication, and Division." This was all the "schooling" young Ten 
Broeck could boast until he attained his majority. When he be- 
came of age he felt his need of a better knowledge of grammar and 
4 



50 

other rudiments of au English education. To gratify this ambition, so 
unusual for one of his age, he entered an academic institution then 
located at Sangerstield, in Oneida County. He applied himself dili- 
gently to his studies to the close of the term, which was just six weeks; 
and this, to use his own language, "completed his education." 

In 1816, at the age of twenty-three, Mr. Ten Broeck left his fath- 
er's house to seek his fortune in the " far West." flis outfit was scanty, 
consisting of a single change of clothing and barely ready money 
enough to defray his traveling expenses. "With his pack on his back, 
he traveled alone and on foot — for railroads, canals, and stage-coaches 
were scarce in those days — the entire distance from his father's house 
to Erie, Pennsylvania, reaching that borough the latter part of May. 
He had examined with considerable care the country over which he 
had passed, and after a rest at Erie of three or four days he set out 
on his return. Taking his route "across the country," through May- 
ville, Chautauque County, to Connewango, Little Yalley, and Ellicott- 
ville, he reached a small settlement on the Ischua Creek, now known 
as the village of Franklinville, on the 6th day of June, 1816. Spend- 
ing a day or two hereabouts for rest, he renewed his journey home- 
ward, where he arrived in the early part of July. 

The balance of the summer of 1816, or until October following, 
was spent at his father's house. In October Mr. Ten Broeck, accom- 
panied by his younger brother Cornelius, (who died in Farmersville 
in 1843,) and Richard Tozer, again started, on foot, to seek a home in 
the West. They carried their own provisions, which were replenished 
by purchase from farmers and others living along their route. They 
were nearly a month on the road, reaching Farmersville the latter part 
of October. As they were on a "voyage of discoveiy," they traveled 
over what are now the towns of Farmersville, Frankhnville , Ellicott- 
ville, Little Yalley, Great Valley, and a part of Napoli and Conne- 
wango. They saw nothing particularly attractive after they left the 
valley of the Ischua, and finally resolved to return to Franklinville or 
Farmersville, and take up farms in that vicinity. Soon after their 
return to Franklinville Mr. Ten Broeck was deputed by his associ- 
ates to go to the Land Office at Batavia, and contract with the Hol- 
land Land Company for three farms. This he did, contracting for 600 
acres; 200 for himself, 200 for his brother Cornelius, and 200 for Mr. 
Tozer. Cornelius and Tozer accompanied him "out" as far as the 
Genesee River, where they worked by the day during Mr. Ten Broeck's 



51 



absence. On his rctnrn they had earned money enough to purchase a 
month's supply of flour, beef, and butter. The flour was baked into 
bread, and the "supplies" divided into three equal parts, and each 
taking his "sack on his shoulder," the three again sought their "wil- 
derness home." Arriving there m due time, they set about stakmg and 
"blazing" out their lots. The winter coming on, and no preparations 
having been made for a stay through it, they returned to Otsego County. 
In February following the three returned again, their little company 
increased by the addition of Capt. Peleg Robbixs and Levi Peet, 
Esq., both of whom are now prominent and wealthy citizens of 
Parmersville. 

Before leaving the fall previous, the three "new settlers" had hewn 
and put together a small log house. They could find no boards or mill 
to saw them nearer than ten miles, so they left it till spring, minus a 
roof. The first business of the party on their return was to procure 
the necessary covering for their "log mansion." The first two nights 
were spent in the enclosure, which was partially covered with canvass. 
This illy protected the stout-hearted pioneers from the storm which 
began the evening they reached there, and continued for thirty-six 
hours. Snow fell to the depth of three feet, but notwithstanding this, 
as their necessities were great, Mr. Ten Broeck and Mr. Tozer with 
an ox team made their way through the woods and snow, to McClure's 
saw-mill, ten miles distant, for boards to cover their only log house, 
which was to serve as an abiding place for the whole party. They 
were obtained, the house finished as well as it could be, and soon the 
curling smoke of an old-fashioned log fire was making its way above 
the surrounding forests. Here the five " new settlers" labored together, 
ate, drank, slept, and whQed away their leisure hours, until the follow- 
ing May. Meantime improvements had been made, and three or four 
additional log shanties erected, and it began to look like a really pros- 
perous and thriving settlement. 

About this time Mr. Ten Broeck caught the "Western fever," and 
disposing of his land interest to Mr. Peet, one of his companions, he, 
accompanied by Capt. Robbixs, left for the West. They traveled on 
foot, carrying their own provisions, and generally looking out their own 
road. They traveled thus over a portion of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Mich- 
igan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. The greater portion 
of the country over which they passed was thinly settled, and many 
nights they spent in the open air, but their rugged constitutions carried 



62 

them safely through all exposure. They had many narrow escapes, 
which Mr. Tex Broeck and Capt. Robbixs to this day take great 
pleasure in rehearsing. We must mention two incidents which occur- 
red to them while travehng through Indiana. 

The scene of the first incident is laid at or near Brookville, la. 
As they approached the settlement, they were overtaken by five or 
six men on horseback. Riding up to our travelers, they slackened 
their speed and began a conversation upon various subjects; after ex- 
hausting everything on their part, our heroes made a few inquiries 
touching the prices of land, the prospects for growing crops, &c., &c., 
and among other questions, asked where they belonged, whither they 
were going, and what they were looking for ? Instantly the captain 
of the band, (who afterwards " proved himself," as Capt. Robbins 
expresses it, " a true gentleman,") replied, " we are looking for just 
such fellows as you are," and, suiting his actions to his words, sprung 
from his horse, and, clapping his hands upon Mr. Tex Broeck and 
Capt. Robbixs, said, " I arrest you for burglary and robbery I" Here, 
indeed, was a situation! Astounded at the charge made against them, 
they contented themselves with a simple denial of all knowledge of the 
transaction, and declared themselves able to establish beyond a doubt 
their entire innocence. They were, however, conducted to Brookville, 
then a mile or two distant, under a strong guard, four of the six horse- 
men dismounting, and seizing the prisoners by either arm, the more 
effectually to prevent escape. Upon reaching the settlement the whole 
town was in commotion. Men, women, and children were hastening to 
the pu])lic square, whither "the robbers" were conducted. Here they 
were the observed of all observers, and from various quarters of the 
crowd Mr. Tex Broeck and Capt. Robbixs had the pleasure of hear- 
ing their " suspicious looks " and "rascally countenances" descanted 
upon. Capt. Robbixs contends now, that Mr. Tex Broeck was the 
most remarked; he says he was the largest man, and not by any 
means the handsomest, and he could hear from a looker-on now and 
then remarks like the following : " That big fellow looks lilie a high- 
wayman," — " he's an ugly customer," &c., &c. 

But Mr. Ten Broeck preserved his equanimity, as did also Capt. 
Robbixs. They demanded a trial, and were forthwith marched to the 
office of the village magistrate. They were accompanied by six men 
armed with muskets, three before and three behind, into the presence 
of the court. Here they demanded to know the nature of their 



63 



crime. Tlie charge was made, and among other items stolen was $80 
in specie! The two together had about this amount in silver, and how 
to account for the possession of it they did not Icnow. Tliey had ob- 
tained it on their journey, and as specie was scarce, and everybody 
knew it, this circumstance, if disclosed, would tell strongly against 
them. But they demanded to be searched, and declared their willing- 
ness to submit to anything but personal violence and insult. They 
exhibited their proofs, and satisfied the court, jury, and the citizens that 
they were innocent, wholly and entirely. They were not searched, 
and Capt. Robbixs attributes their discharge, which of course follow- 
ed, to Mr. Ten Broeck's boldness and perfect self-possession in their 
trying situation. That night they were made the guests of the town, 
and were feasted and toasted to their fill. Capt. Robbins says he thinks 
he was " boozy" when he went to bed, and is quite positive Mr. Ten 
Broeck " felt well." The next morning they called for their bill, and 
were told by the landlord that no cliarge had been made, and he refused 
to take anything. The proprietor of the hotel proved to be the leader 
of the band who the day before had arrested the travelers for burglary 
and robbery, and he wished to do all in his power to regain their good 
opinions, and they then parted with the very best understanding. A 
large deputation of citizens accompanied them a mile or two on their 
journey, and when they left there was a general shaking of hands. 
Many congratulations and a thousand good wishes were bestowed 
upon the young Iravelers. From criminals they had become honored 
guests, and were proud of the good impression they had left. 

The next day, as they were nearing an Indian trading house upon 
one of the principal rivers of Indiana, and at least forty miles from 
Brookville, they were overtaken by an Indian on horseback, fantasti- 
cally dressed with feathers, skins, &c., &c. Upon coming up, JNIr. 
Ten Broeck inquired " how far to Indian trading house ?" The In- 
dian replied, " you give me whiskey, I tell!" This Mr. T. declined to 
do, very emphatically, for their supply was very low. The Indian was 
told they did not need his services, and Ijid begone. In an instant he 
sprang from his horse and drew a long-bladed, two-edged knife, and 
made for Mr. Ten Broeck. Both Mr. T. and Capt. R. were without 
means of defence, if we except their walking sticks. Mr. Ten Broeck 
had a very large one, and when he discovered the intention of the In- 
dian, he raised that and made sundry warlike demonstrations not en- 
tu'ely satisfactory to the red man, who, seeing the odds he had to con- 



54 

tend with, made the best of his way into his saddle, and, with a yell 
and whoop, was soon lost to view in the forest. Mr. Ten Broeck and 
his companion, it may well be imagined, kept a keen look-ont the bal- 
ance of their way to the trading house, lest Mr. Indian should fire upon 
them from some secure liiding place along the road. They were, how- 
ever, not molested, and reached the settlement in safety. 

After spending some days at the trading house looking for a chance 
to locate, which they failed in securing for want of money, they turned 
their steps homeward. They arrived at FrankhnvCle in the latter part 
of August, 1811. Here they remained for a few weeks, when Mr. 
T£n Broeck and his brother Cornelius returned on foot to Otsego 
County, by the way of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, &c. But 
little of the wealth and splendor which now mark these three places 
was then visible. Buffalo had three years previously been burned, 
and had, altogether, not more tlian twenty new buildings, and these 
of the smallest and cheapest kind; Niagara Falls was a wilderness, 
and what are now its streets, parks, and princely private mansions and 
public buildings, were but tramping and hunting grounds for the bor- 
der Indians; whUe Rochester was only a respectable country village, 
not unlike the many which dot the County of Cattaraugus at this day. 

The greater part of the fall and winter of 1811-18 Mr. Ten Broeck 
spent at his father's house. In February, 1818, accompanied by 
Cornelius, he returned to Farmersville, the settlement he and his com- 
panions had begun two years before. In the fall following he contract- 
ed for 50 acres of land, and immediately set himself to work to build a 
log house. This he completed and moved into during the winter, being 
his own cook and house-keeper. This log house Mr. T. Uved in, with 
an addition or two, until 1838, we beUeve, when he built a new and 
modern mansion. The " old log house," though somewhat dilapidated, 
is now used as a hay barn, and stands within thirty rods of his present 
residence. The young pioneer, as we have intimated, kept "bachelor's 
hall;" but he, not unlike young men in his situation, thought "it not 
good to be alone, and so after a residence of two or three years in his 
log house, he married Miss Freeman, a daughter of Judge Freeman, 
then one of the Judges of the old Court of Common Pleas of this 
county. Mrs. Ten Broeck is a model farmer's wife, frugal, industri- 
ous, and is distinguished for her simplicity of manners and great moral 
worth. She is as active now in her old age as our modern gh-ls are at 
twenty. Her health is good and her constitution imimpaired, and we 



55 



trust she may live many years to enjoy tlie fruits of Iter own and lier 
husband's industry. 

Soon after Mr. Ten Broeck's marriage in 1822, he began to enlarge 
his borders, adding a little every year — fifty or one hundred acres — and 
has continued these additions for thirty-five years. Now he numbers his 
acres by the thousands, and his worldly wealth by tens of thousands. 
He is to-day the possessor by deed of between five and six thousand 
acres of land, made up entirely of improved farms; it lies in a straight 
strip, of about six miles long and a mile wide, adjoining the old home- 
stead farm. This extensive farm, or rather this multitude of farms, has 
his personal superintendence, and some estimate may be formed of his 
abilities and his active mind, when we say that he directs the whole 
machinery of his vast estate, even to the smallest and most unimportant 
matters. Although now over 64 years of age, he rises at four o'clock, 
winter and summer, and after three or four hours' attention to the 
business of "the farm," or by nine o'clock, he is ready to attend the 
calls of his friends, purchase cattle, buy lands, or do any other business 
which may require his attention. He manages his business with an 
eye to profit, endeavoring to accomplish the greatest amount of labor 
with the least possible force. Not that he over-works his men, but 
that he may so employ all, that when the day, week, or month is ended, 
he will not need a telescope to discover where they have worked, or 
what they have done. His present force is six men! These are so dis- 
posed upon every part of his lands that the whole farm is heard from 
every night. During haying and harvesting this force is increased to 
twenty-five, and often thirty. 

Raising, purchasing, and driving cattle is the principal business Mr. 
Ten Broeck carries on. He usually winters six or eight hundred head 
of cattle. Last year he wintered five hundred head, and notwithstand- 
ing the great scarcity of hay, oats, corn, and every kind of fodder, they 
were brought out this spring in good condition. He buys in the spring 
and through the summer two and three year old cattle, keeps them 
through the winter, and starts them for the eastern market as early 
as September following. During the summer his herd is largely in- 
creased, so that by July or August he seldom has on hand less than 
twelve or fifteen hundred head. Tins immense cattle business makes 
it necessary that he should have a large portion of his lands in mea- 
dows and pastures. His usual hay crop amounts to about five hundred 
tons. This is all housed, requiring the use of nearly, if not quite forty 



86 

barns. His home barn is a model of its kind. It is forty feet wide 
and one hundred feet long, perfect in all its arrangements, and is capa- 
ble of affording shelter for one hundred or more head of cattle. It is 
worth a day's drive to see how substantial, handy, and perfect it is in 
everything. We hardly think its equal, made of wood, can be found 
west of Cayuga Bridge. 

Notwithstanding this vast cattle business, Mr. T. cultivates yearly 
some two or three hundred acres of land. He has tliis year large 
fields of wheat, oats, corn, peas, beans, potatoes, &c., &c.; probably 
not less than three hundred acres are thus employed. 

In 1822, Mr. Ten Broeck was appointed by Gov. Yates an Asso- 
ciate County Judge. His term of office expired in 182*1. In 1837 
he was reappointed by Gov. Marcy, and held the office and discharg- 
ed the duties faithfully, acceptably, and honorably, until the adoption 
of the new Constitution in 1846. During the interim from 1827 to 
1837, he was appointed an Agent of the Holland Land Company, 
charged with the duty of collecting the debts due the company, in the 
Counties of Cattaraugus, Allegany and Wyoming. It was his habit 
to traverse these three counties twice a year, collecting money where 
he could get it; and when this was not to be had, and the settler de- 
sired to turn out cattle instead, he would drive these to a convenient 
station, and when a drove was obtained send them to market, whither 
he went, superintending their sale, and returning the proceeds to the 
Holland Land Company's Office. He held this appointment until the 
Holland Land Company sold their interest to other parties, and was 
for two or three years the agent of the company's successors, repre- 
sented by Hon. Stalky N. Clarke. Thousands of dollars passed through 
his hands, every fraction of which he accounted for. He left a clean 
record — an indisputable evidence of his strict honesty and rigid 
uprightness. 

In all the public trusts committed to Judge Ten Broeck, he has 
exhibited the same fidelity and devotion to the right, and the same in- 
dustry in the discharge of his duty. No man can, with truth, say, 
Peter Ten Broeck has knowingly wronged him in person or prop- 
erty. Honesty and honorable dealing have been his characteristics 
through hfe. He never took advantage of the poor, or broke liis word 
with the rich. An incident which occurred many years ago will illus- 
trate more forcibly his determination to keep his engagements, even at 
a sacrifice. 



67 



He had a large quautity of oats on the ground, as he thought, two 
or three thonsaud bushels. Being at Olean, he was asked by Hon. F. 
S. Martin if he had any to sell Yes, he had, he thought, a thousand 
bushels. Judge Martin agreed to take that quautity aud give him 
eighteen pence per bushel, deliverable when called for. The oats were 
harvested, threshed, aiid sold to other parties, Judge Ten Broeck for- 
getting entirely the sale he had made to Judge Martin. Late in the 
fall Judge Ten Broeck was at Olean again, and Judge Martin told 
him he expected the oats he had purchased, aud would like to have him 
(Ten Broeck) begin to haul them pretty soon. The Judge was amaz- 
ed. He had forgotten all about the trade, and had sold all his oats! 
" However," said he, " a bargain is a bargain. I agreed to let you 
have 1,000 bushels of oats at eighteen pence per bushel, and you shall 
have them." Notwithstanding there was no writing to hold him to 
his trade, and the fact that oats were then worth twenty-eight cents 
per bushel, he actually purchased one thousand bushels and delivered 
them to Judge Martin, suffering a loss of ten cents on each bushel, 
that his contract might be fulfilled and his word kept good. The soul 
of honor and integrity himself, he abhors and despises a departure from 
the right in others. He deals honestly and fairly with every man; 
scorning to take any advantages himself, he scorns alike him that would, 
and him that would submit to them. 

In politics. Judge Ten Broeck, as his judicial appointments would 
indicate, is a Democrat, and he quotes Jefferson and Jackson as the 
exponents of his political faith. He has never sought official honors, 
but his position has been so prominent that he could not, and has not 
escaped party preferment. His first elective office Avas in 1821. He 
was then elected Supervisor of the town of Farmersville, or Ischua, 
then made up of Farmersville, Lyndon, Franklinville, Ashford, York- 
ville, and Machias. He has been elected to the same office many times 
since, and usually without serious opposition. In 1842, Judge Ten 
Broeck was nominated by the Democrats of this Congressional district 
a candidate for Congress. Hon. Asher Tyler, now Land Agent for 
the New York and Erie Railroad Co., was his competitor, on the Whig 
ticket. Of course, he was defeated, for the district was, as the Judge 
expresses it, "ruinously AVhig," but he ran far ahead of his ticket. In 
his own town aud immediate neighborhood he got two votes to his 
opponent's one, and thus he had the assurance that those who knew 
him best were most desirous of conferring upon him additional honors. 



58 

We should have said before that Judge Ten Broeck was in actual 
service in the war of 1812; was stationed at Sackett's Harbor, and, we 
believe, held an ensign's commission. After peace was declared, 
with something of the war fever upon him, he attained the rank of 
Colonel in the State mihtia, and held that position for many years 
after he came into this county. This, we dare say, makes up the 
whole of his military career. 

The Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society was organized No- 
vember 11, 1841. Judge Ten Broeck was elected its first President, 
and Avas subsequently re-elected in 1842-3. 

Judge Ten Broeck is now over 64 years of age, and yet he is hale, 
hearty, and as vigorous as at forty-five. A man of iron nerve and 
ample proportions, being over six feet in height, and still possessing a 
rugged, unbroken constitution, he bids fair to retain his health and 
strength for years to come. In private life he is courteous, of easy 
manners, and cordial and confiding to his friends. He is generous to 
the j)Oor, prompt with aid in case of need, and gives with a liberal 
hand whenever and wherever necessity requires. He attained his pres- 
ent high rank as a private citizen, and has become the largest land 
owner in western New York, by the closest attention to his business 
and the practice of frugality, without being in the least open to the 
charge of covetousness or penuriousness. 

But we have extended this sketch to a much greater length than we 
at first intended. We may remark, in closing, that Judge Ten Broeck 
is estimated to be worth $200,000, every farthing of which he has ob- 
tained in the legitimate prosecution of his business, and no man is the 
poorer by reason of his success. He is now, in his old age, a living 
exemplification of the truth of the adage, "honesty is the best policy," 
for every business act of his life has been made to square with the 
strictest rule of right. Speculations he has avoided, and that too 
while possessing means, and knowing pretty certainly of ways hi which 
he might enrich himself ten fold. 

Having thus briefly sketched Judge Ten Broeck's history, we leave 
him to the quiet enjoyment of his old age, only wishing that he may 
live many years to enjoy the fruits of his hard-earned competence, the 
full measure of his worth as a man, and the friendship and companion- 
ship of troops of friends and admirers. 




Jlf-^t 




PnhKihpd In- JnhrcMan/ni/ J.iJlle iaZievli' //>S/ 



59 



FREDERICK S. MARTIN. 



Frederick Stanley Martin was born iu the County of Rutland, 
Vermont, on the 25th day of April, 1794. He was the youngest of 
six children, three of whom were boys. His education, like most farm- 
ers' boys of that day, was obtained at the district school, which he 
attended until he was seven years old. Al)Out this time he left his 
mother's house, (his father died before his recollection,) and spent three 
or four years with his relatives, who resided iu that vicinity. At the 
age of ten years he left Vermont, and became a member of his uncle 
Frederick Stanley's family, at New Hartford, in this State. There 
he remained five or six years. In 1810, young Martin having arrived 
at an age, as he. thought, that warranted him in looking out for him- 
self, left his uncle's hospitable roof and proceeded to Whitehall, where, 
after a short time, he obtained a situation as clerk in the mercantile 
estabhshment of a Mr. Anderson. There he spent two years, and then 
received the appointment of steward of the Steamer " Vermoiit," Capt. 
Winans, Master. The " Vermont " was employed in the service of the 
Government, and ran to and from all ports on Lake Champlain. The 
captain, clerk, pilot, and in fact all of young Martin's superiors, were 
addicted to drinking, and when either was unfit for service, he sup- 
plied his place, and not unfrequently he was compelled to act as cap- 
tain, clerk, pilot, steward, and cook at the same time. 

The war of 1812-13 followed, and during its continuance he resided 
at Burlington and Shelburne, Vermont. Immediately after peace was 
declared in 1815, he shipped from Newport, R. I., having gone thither 
for that purpose, on board a merchantman as a common sailor. The 
vessel sailed in the spring of 1816, to New Orleans, where she took on 
board a cargo of cotton, and thence she cleared for Liverpool. He 
returned to New Orleans in the same ship, where he was honorably 
discharged, and soon after returned to New York, after an absence of 
eighteen months, improved in health and possessed of considerable nau- 
tical knowledge. He hastened home, and after a short sojourn among 
his friends and relatives, he left the " Green Mountain State" for the 
western part of New York, then in common parlance " the far West." 
He reached Cauandaigua late in the fall of 1817, where he remained 
during the winter, " looking about," and doing little or nothing to 



60 



increase his possessions. In the spring of 1818, he came to Olean, 
and here he has lived ever since. He brought with liim a stock of 
goods, consisting mainly of dry goods and groceries, and these he bar- 
gained off for lumber, which he rafted and sent to Cincinnati. By this 
transaction he realized a good profit, and upon his return he invested 
his increased means in lumber, and again sought the Southern markets. 
Succeeding as before, the following year, 1820, found him a large 
dealer. Failing, however, to get off with his rafts, arks, flat boats, 
&c., in season, misfortune overtook him, and when he did reach the 
market, lumber had become a drug. It fell to such a figure as to be 
ruinous to all engaged in its traffic. Mr. Martin lost heavily, in fact, 
his all, and was besides nearly $2,000 in debt. He failed, with a score 
of others, and while he owed $2,000, which he could not pay at once, 
he asked no compromise, no discount — nothing but "time" to meet 
all his engagements. This was given him, and soon by industry and 
economy he was enabled to pay every dollar of his indebtedness. 

In February, 1820, Mr. Martin married Miss Cornelia Russel, 
daughter of Samuel Russel, of Pike, Allegany County, N. Y., one of 
the earliest settlers of that section. Mrs. Martin is still living in the 
enjoyment of good health, an ornament to the circle in which she moves, 
and beloved and esteemed by all who are brought within reach of her 
kindly influences. 

In 1821, he leased of Frederick A. Norton "The Coffee House," 
a small hotel then standing upon the present site of the Olean 
House, in the village of Olean. Together with the lumber business 
then just beginning to be developed, and the steady, though not large 
emigration to the west and south, " via Olean Point," this new busi- 
ness proved to be profitable. He kept this hotel ten years, and during 
that time had enriched himself sufficiently to become owner as well as 
proprietor of the property, and have a handsome surplus besides. In 
1831, he leased his hotel and entered actively into mercantile pursuits, 
associated with his brother-in-law, Oliver M. Russel. The business of 
the new firm extended over a large tract of country, and fortune smiled 
upon him and his efforts. 

In 1834, his brother-in-law left the concern, and Mr. Martin con- 
tinued alone, gradually enlarging his business and constantly improv- 
ing in financial ability. In 1836, a year memorable for its land specu- 
lations and unparalleled " high prices," Mr. Martin made his first bold 
stroke for wealth. He sold the property now known as the " Lyman 



61 



Farm " for $26,000, and in clue time received every dollar of that 
amount. By this single transaction he was made one of tlie " wealthy 
men " of Cattaraugus County; for in those days a $30,000 citizen was 
looked upon as being " very rich." He continued his mercantile busi- 
ness up to 1851, when he transferred it to his son, Stanley Martix. 

During these twenty years of mercantile life, Mr. Martin maintain- 
ed an unsullied name and fame. His integrity and uprightness was 
acknowledged l)y all, and he was known here and elsewhere as a clear- 
headed, substantial merchant. During this long period he had, be- 
sides Mr. RussEL, but one partner, and this was Mr. J as. G. Johnson, 
whom he had reared from a boy of fifteen, and who is now a respected 
and prominent citizen of Allegany, in this county. Since his sons 
Stanley and Russel succeeded him in his mercantile operations, he has 
given his undivided attention to his extensive fai'ming and lumbering 
interests. 

While ]Mr. Martin has been accumulating an ample fortune, he has 
not been lax in his determination to build up the village of his adop- 
tion. Monuments of his enterprise are visible on every hand. In 
1842 he rebuilt the Oleau House upon so extensive apian, that at this 
day it is the largest hotel under a single roof in this county. Without 
referring to his dwelling houses, of which he has built many, we may 
.mention his flouring mill, built in 1852. This is a model structure, 
costing not far from $10,000, and is perfect in all its appointments, and 
second to no mill in this region for size and power. Last year he built 
a large gang saw mill, capable of manufacturing fifty or sixty thousand 
feet of lumber daily ; and it is safe to say that it is not excelled by any 
water mill on the Allegany River. 

In all public enterprises Mr. Martin has been among the first in li)> 
erality and public spirit. In the village of Olean are four handsome 
churches, to the building of three of which, at least, he has contributed 
bountifully. To the Olean Academy he is a large contributor, and 
was the first President of the Board of Trustees, an honor he has well 
earned and a position he was well calculated to fill. He holds this 
appointment at the present time. 

Mr. Martin is the father of nine children, seven of whom are now 
living. It is frequently remarked that the sons, of whom there are 
four, partake strongly of their mother's energy, industry, and perse- 
verance, while the daughters, three in number, resemble iu mind and 
manner the quiet, uniform solidity of the father. 



62 

Mr. Martin has been mucli in public life, and in each and every po- 
sition to which he has been called, either by the partiality of his fellow 
citizens, or through the appointing power of the party to which he has 
for more than thirty years been attached, he has exhibited the same 
devotion to the right — the same determination to do his whole duty. 
His public life began in 1826, when he was appointed by Gov. Clin- 
ton a Major of the 226th Regiment New York State Militia. He 
held this commission and performed the duties imposed upon him untU 
1830, when he was promoted by Lieut. Gov. Throop, to the rank of 
Lieutenant Colonel. He resigned this appointment in 1833, the mili- 
tary spirit of this region having " died out." 

In December, 1830, he was appointed Postmaster at Olean. This 
was during Gen. Jackson's first term. He neither sought the appoint- 
ment, nor expected it, for all his political sympathies were at variance 
witli the party then in power. He did not know at the time why he 
was appointed, but learned subsequently that his friend, Jno. McGee, 
then a representative in Congress, had secured the appointment con- 
trary to party usage. He held this office through three successive ad- 
ministrations, and was removed by Mr. Yan Buren's Postmaster 
General, in 1839. During the campaign of 1839-40, Mr. Martin be- 
came an active opponent of the party in power, and rendered efficient 
service to the "hero of Tippecanoe and Tyler too," and for this was 
stripped of his official robes, greatly to his relief. The office was a tax 
upon him, and he frequently asked his Democratic friends to seek and 
obtain his removal, and they finally gratified him. 

In January, 1840, he was appointed by Gov. Seward "a Judge of 
the County Courts of Cattaraugus County." Judge Martin has the 
honor of being the only Whig who ever received the appointment of 
Judge under the then organization of the County Courts, it so happen- 
ing that when a vacancy occurred, before and after his term, the Dem- 
ocrats were in power. He held the office of Judge for five years, and 
performed the duties devolving upon him, faithfully and acceptably, 
and left the bench universahy respected. He was succeeded by Ash- 
BEL HuRD, of Gowauda. 

The Genesee Yalley Canal was authorized by the Legislature of 
1836, and from that time to this, (and long before it, in fact, for he 
and his friends David Bockes and David Day, and their compeers from 
Olean to Rochester, began the agitation of the subject as early as 
1823,) he has exerted all his influence, devoted much time, and expend- 



63 

ed not a little money, in securing the completion of this " outlet for 
south-western New York." His devotion to this great work kept him 
prominently before the people of this county, and in 1841, this, with 
other less important questions, induced his nomination by the Whig 
party of this district, for State Senator. He was elected, and the 
manner in which he discharged the duties of this high station gave 
very general satisfaction. Against his wishes, he was made a candi- 
date for re-nomination, but was defeated in the convention by the old 
political hacks of the district, who had other " axes to grind." This 
defeat so exasperated the people of his Assembly district, that at their 
Assembly district convention, which met soon after, he was nominated 
by acclamation for member of Assembly, and was, of course, elected. 

During his term in the Senate he was a member of the " Canal 
Committee," one of the most important committees of that body. In 
the Assembly he was made a member of the same committee, and l^y 
this means he was enabled to render essential service to the interests of 
a large portion of his constituents. 

Among the members of the popular branch of the State Legislature 
of 1849, and there were many able men in it, none commanded more 
respect or were more universally regarded as clear-sighted, far-seeing, 
conscientious legislators, than Hon. F. S. Martix. His sacrifices the 
three years he was in the Legislature — the neglect of his private affairs 
— the loss of the comforts of a home, &c., were very great, yet he had 
the satisfaction of knowing, that through his instrumentality the work 
upon the Genesee Yalley Canal, which had long been suspended, was 
resumed, and its ultimate completion provided for. 

In the fall of 1850 Judge Martin was nominated and elected to the 
thirty-second Congress. This was during the most fearful political ex- 
citement the country had ever experienced. Gen. Taylor had died, and 
Millard Fillmore had succeeded him as President of the United States. 
The agitation of the slavery question consequent upon the organization 
of territorial governments for Utah, Oregon and Washington, and the 
admission of California with a constitution prohibiting slavery within 
her borders, had aroused a storm North and South, East and AVest, 
that came nigh sundering the bands of the Union. Mr. Fillmore 
marked out a plan of adjustment in regard to the difficulties which 
threatened so seriously the peace and harmony of the nation, and 
Judge Martin, as the representative of a strong Whig constituency, 
while opposed to some of those measures of settlement, deemed it to 



64 



be his duty to accept and support them as a whole, convinced " they 
were the best that could be obtained." This is not the occasion to dis- 
cuss the propriety or wisdom of his course. No man, we dare say, will 
question the purity of his motives or doubt his honesty in what he de- 
termined, after mature reflection, to be his duty both as a man and a 
patriot. Having decided to support the " compromise measures of 
1850," and +he leading acts and policy of Mr. Fillmore's administra- 
tion, he did not falter or turn to the right or left in doing what he 
could to render that administration efficient and acceptable to the peo- 
ple of his district. His course in Congress was marked, as his whole 
public life had been, with a consciousness of the important trust com- 
mitted to him, and every act of his while there will bear the closest 
scrutiny. He earned the confidence and esteem of his colleagues, and 
won for himself an enviable reputation for industry and integrity. His 
acute discernment and comprehensive hne of thought made him a dis- 
tinguished man among his fellow members; and when he rose to give 
his views upon any subject — and these cases were rare, for he is a man 
of few words — he commanded close attention, and was listened to with 
more than ordinary gratification. 

Since the close of his Congressional term, Judge Martin has with- 
drawn, almost wholly, from public life. As the weight of years creep 
upon him, he becomes more and more attached to his family circle and 
its comforts, and less occupied with the busy scenes transpiring about 
him. He is the possessor of an ample fortune, the care and supervis- 
ion of which requires his whole attention. His "home farm" contains 
1,200 acres, 600 of which are improved. He owns, besides his saw 
and grist mill, farm buildings, &c., two timber lots, containing together 
1,100 acres of land, and a large amount of village property. He is 
doubtless worth $125,000 above and beyond all indebtedness. 

In privati; life Judge Martin is hospitable to the stranger, frank and 
free-hearted with his neighbors and friends, and kind and generous to 
the poor. He is a constant thinker, and one is liable to mistake his 
seeming abstracted manner for unsociability or lack of courtesy. This 
is not the case. When "out of thought," and freed from the cares 
and perplexities of business, he is one of the most companionable and 
sociable of men. Judge Martin's word is his bond. He deals hon- 
estly with all men, and requires the same fidelity from others that he 
practices himself He will not stoop to do a "small thing," nor suffer 
it to be done by others if he can prevent it. He early conceived a 



65 

hatred of distinctions among men based solely upon wealth, and is, 
therefore, generous towards all, rich or poor, high or low; he is high 
spuited, without exhibiting the least ostentation or pomp, and emi- 
nently just from an inherent love of right. 

Judge Martin is now more than sixty-three years of age, and pos- 
sesses a strong, vigorous constitution, and is in the enjoyment of good 
health. We trust he may live many years to adorn the position he 
now occupies — a self-made, honest, sagacious, prudent citizen — and be 
known and appreciated for his worth as a man, and his cordiality as a 
friend and neighbor. 



In 1849, Judge Martin accepted the invitation of the Committee, 
and deUvered before the County Agricultural Society the Annual Ad- 
dress. This document contains so much of interest to our citizens, re- 
ferring as it does to the earl}'^ history of the county, and exhibits in so 
clear a light the natural turn of the author's mind, that we are unwil- 
ling to let the occasion pass with simply an allusion to it. We make 
such extracts from it as we deem most interesting. The following 
occurs at the opening of the Address: 

"The earth is termed our mother; from her bosom all draw their 
support. The rich, the poor, the bond, the free, the prince and the 
peasant, are equally dependent on her for the temporal blessings with 
which their daily wants are supplied. How important, then, its study; 
are we certain that we are not misled by the dim light of nature ? 
Should we not give an impulse to the already awakened activity — study 
into the wonderful economy of Mature, its order and agencies ? 

"An all-wise Providence has placed man here for some good. The 
sanctuary of Nature is thrown wide open, and he may fearlessly enter 
and partake of its blessings. The earth, aided by sun and light, is en- 
dowed with capacities to produce vegetable matter sufficient to sustain 
and support life. 

"The useful and the beautiful are harmoniously blended — the former 
in the substantials necessary to a healthy condition of body; the latter 
in objects gratifying to the sight, as the soft blending tints of a far-oif 
landscape, the shifting play of light over waving fields of grain, the 

5 



66 

meandering stream impatient of restraint, revealing a world of untold 
magnificence, and producing as it were within us an ideal world, open- 
ing on the mental eje. It varies in form and properties, and its 
particles go to make up what we denominate soil. It appears to us a 
heterogeneous mass of matter, covered with vegetable and mineral 
remains, which by the wonderful economy of nature are undergoing 
change; at one time maturing, at another decaying and yet never lost. 
Were it not so, the earth would be constantly diminishing in size, and 
bounds set to its existence. 

"The vegetable may grow, mature, and decay; collected to the 
bosom of the earth by its proper agencies, it affords nutritious food to 
the new organized plants. In its last stages of decay, the seed, from 
specific lightness, may be wafted to parts remote, and there germinate 
as in the parent soil; other particles floating in the atmosphere are 
again brought down in the refreshing shower — the more evanescent 
ones by the nightly dews. Whatever falls on the mountains gradually 
washes in to enrich and fertilize the valleys — whatever falls on the 
ocean affords support to its teeming millions. 

" The relation between vegetables and animals is of the most inti- 
mate kind; being mutually convertible, one into the other, and depend- 
ing on each other for existence. In fact, they are the only natural 
means by which animal life can be sustained. And as all vegetable 
matter differs in form, we at once infer that every soil has its natural 
productions. On sandy portions of land the pine springs up spontane- 
ously. On our lovr and wet lands, the spruce and willow; while our 
openings abound with scrub-oak and hazel. Soils charged with excess 
of moisture, rarely, if ever, produce plants desirable to man or beast; 
their tender and delicate fibres must have a lighter bed in which to re- 
pose, sufficiently dry to admit easily the rays of the sun. Timothy and 
red-top grow best in moist lands; but constantly saturated with water 
they soon run out, giving place to tufts of wild grass, destroying the 
beauty of the farm, and that which is of greater importance, the profits 
of the farmer. 

"Hence the first study of the cultivator should be tlie properties of 
the soil, enabling him to adapt the crop to its peculiarities; to pre- 
pare it in the proper season, and in the most economical manner; to 
give a proper rotation to the different grains and grasses; to ascertain 
approved breeds of domestic animals, which are useful for food, and 
necessary to aid him in his labors, and will produce the greatest profit 



67 



in market; the improvements made in farming implements and modes 
of culture. These, and a great variety of matters which it is important 
for the farmer to make himself acquainted with, will give employment 
to his leisure hours; and the time thus spent will produce as profitable 
results as his more active labors in the field. Having made these 
general remarks on the subject of Agriculture, it may not be inappro- 
priate to give a brief sketch of the early history of this county, and 
then pass on to the more practical part of the subject which has 
brought us together. 

"The first purchase of lands from the Holland Company within our 
county limits was made by Major Adam Hoops, Birdsey ]S[orton, 
Ebenezer Norton, and Joel Steel, in 1804. Their tract of twenty 
thousand acres was located on each side of the Allegany River and 
Olean Creek, and mostly in the first township of the 4th and 5th 
ranges. They commenced a settlement the same year, and soon after 
laid out the village of Hamilton, (better known as Olean Point,) 
which was considered the head of navigation on the Allegany; and I. 
think it is the highest point to which any steamboat has ascended 
above tide-water, being 1,470 feet: this was performed by the Steamer 
Allegany, in the spring of 1830. 

"From the commencement of the settlement at Olean until the com- 
pletion of the Erie Canal in 1825, the Allegany was used by thousands 
of emigrants on their way to the South-western States. They passed 
down in arks, flat-boats, skifi's, and on rafts. I can call to mind one 
raft that left Olean with 350 persons on board, in the spring of 1818. 
In March, 1808, this county, Chautauque, aud Niagara were taken 
from Genesee, and erected into separate counties. The west part of 
Cattaraugus was attached to Niagara, and the east part to Allegany 
County, for judicial purposes. The town of Olean was organized by 
the same Act and embraced the whole county. The first town meeting- 
was held on the Ischua Creek, at the house of the late Gen. Joseph 
McClure, in the spring of 1809. James Green was elected the first 
Supervisor from this county at that town meeting. The first saw mill 
erected in the county was on Haskell Creek, about three miles above 
Olean, and was built by James Green, in 1805. Henry Conrad 
built the first grist mill, on the Ischua Creek, about the same time; 
this was situated two miles below the present village of Frankhnville. 

"The town of Ischua was organized in 1812, (since changed to 
Frankhnville, ) Perrysburgh in 1814, Great Yailey and Little Valley 



in 1818, Ellicottville, Freedom, Hindsdale, and Yorkshire in 1820. 
The county was fully organized in the year 18 It, and the first County 
Courts were held at Hamilton, (now Olean,) in July of that year. 
Timothy H. Porter was the first Judge; Jaaies Brooks, Ashbel 
Freeman, Francis Green, and William Price were Associate Judges. 
Israel Curtis was the first Sheriff; Sands Bouton, County Clerk; 
Henry Wooster, Surrogate; Sylvenus Russell, County Treasurer. 
But two of the first commission on the bench remain with us, and they 
have fully complied with the command given to Noah and his sons, and 
bid fan' to remain for long years to bless their posterity and reap the 
reward of well-spent lives. The first courts were held in Ellicottville, 
in July, 1818, at the house of Baker Leonard; that house and the 
Company's Laud Office were all the dwellings then erected in that 
place. A court house and jail in one building was built soon after; 
this was burnt down in the winter of 1829, and the present court house 
and jail were built the same year. 

"Settlements were commenced on the Cattaraugus Creek, and on 
the waters of the Conewango, as early as 1810, but no general settle- 
ment of the county by a farming population can be placed anterior to 
18n; and singular as it may seem to the younger portion of this 
audience, the fact is nevertheless true, that lands were held higher in 
this county up to 1820, than they were in Niagara or Chautauque; 
and your county records show that village lots in Hamilton, {now 
Olean,) sold at a higher price until 1822, than they were bringing in 
Buffalo. 

"The Allegany River was then used as the great commercial high- 
way to the valley of the Ohio and Mississippi, and was deemed of more 
importance than lake navigation. The completion of the Erie Canal 
changed the whole order of things, the tide of emigration changed to 
the upper lakes, and Cattaraugus was almost forgotten by the hardy 
pioneer. The splendid white pine on the Allegany and its tributaries 
had attracted the attention of men fully equal to the task, and every 
portion of the county gave promise to all who would obey the Divine 
command. The sound of the woodman's axe rung along the valleys, 
and the sides of our hills became dotted with the dwellings of civiliza- 
tion ; the war path of the red men gave place to the more comfortable 
highway ; the howl of the wolf to the bleating of our flocks. 

"The scenes of the present day are of a different character in Catta- 
raugus from those of 1818, when I became a resident of the county; 



69 

and when reviewing the numerous difficulties which have been over- 
come, and the present condition of things, I see no cause to regret for 
the past, and much to hope for the future. 

"The completion of the Erie Canal more fully developed the re- 
sources of Western New York, and the prominent men of that day 
who had given that splendid work their most hearty snjiport, never 
lost sight of the importance of its connection with the Allegany River. 
From them emanated the project of the Genesee Valley Canal; and 
it had an important influence with the first movers of the New York 
and Erie Railroad. When these two works shall have been completed, 
our county may with truth be ranked among the best in the State for 
grazing purposes. This may seem a bold assertion, unsupported by 
facts; but when you contemplate her secluded situation, and the rapid 
progress already made under her local disadvantages, what will be her 
condition in a few years after the completion of the New York and 
Erie Railroad and the Genesee Yalley Canal, and in an agricultural 
point of view? As an evidence of her capacity to produce cattle, 
sheep, butter, cheese, &c., permit me to make some extracts from the 
census of 1845: 

"Our population in 1830, v/as 15,126; in 1845, it was 30,169; in 
the year 1844, the county produced 177,000 bushels of wheat, 13,000 
of barley, 96,000 of corn, 459,000 of oats, (omitting fractions.) It 
contained in 1845, 45,256 neat cattle, one-third of which were cows; 
from which 1,284,535 lbs. of butter and 567,807 fbs. of cheese were 
made. We also had at that time, 6,908 horses, 102,780 sheep, 30 
churches, 220 common schools, 24 grist mills, 144 saw mills, 67 clergy- 
men; besides lawyers, doctors, merchants and land officers to our 
heart's content. That our next census will show a large increase in 
our population and products, no one at all acquainted with the county 
will doubt. 

"The difficulties attending the first settlement of a heavy timbered 
region to a great extent have passed. We are now in a position to 
improve and better our condition as farmers, and to give an impetus, 
energy, and activity to the various improvements connected with Agri- 
culture. I would not be understood as recommending what is often 
termed book farming in its fullest extent; but allow me to say, that a 
prejudice exists, which cannot too soon be removed, against improved 
farming implements, improved breeds of animals, new modes of culture, 



70 

and more especially against all books and periodicals on these interest- 
ing and valuable subjects. 

"This county, in common with most others in the State, organized a 
County Agricultural Society in 1841, and tlie Hon. Peter Ten Broeck 
was the first President. This society, like most improvements, has had 
its share of difficulties to encounter, but they have been met and over- 
come in a sphit which Avill not be conquered. The display and 
attendance during the present Fair give undoubted evidence of its 
valuable services, and should urge the officers and members to still 
greater exertions. The duties committed to you are of a high char- 
acter, for it is through the agency of the county societies that we are 
to look for knowledge of the various and important improvements 
being brought home to our agricultural population. Your annual 
county fairs have done much in this Avay, and their continuance will 
prove their usefulness. 

"Allow me to call your attention to the importance and value of the 
various agricultural papers and periodicals. Many of these can be ob- 
tained at fifty cents or one dollar per year. These would give you a 
monthly catalogue of the improvements which are continually being 
made in farming husbandry. No farmer who desires to prosper in his 
business can afford to be without one or more of them. Our School 
District Libraries, from their location, can be made of great value to 
the farmer. The influence of this society will soon procure men quali- 
fied to make proper selections, and these libraries in a few years will 
contain all the valuable publications in relation to cattle, horses, sheep, 
and swine; their mode of management; the diseases to which they are 
liable; the remedies adapted to their cure; the best mode of cultiva- 
ting our various crops; and their preparation for market. 

"These books would then be within the reach of all, and it strikes 
me that it is a very practical way of sowing knowledge, as it were, 
broad-cast over the county; that a rich harvest would be the result, 
no one can doubt, who beheves that ' knowledge is power.' The for- 
mation of farmers' clubs has been tried in many of our towns through- 
out the State, and are highly commended by all those who have seen 
their benefits. Town fairs at stated periods, say spring and Ml, would 
prove of great advantage as regular market days, and the information 
obtained on such occasions would fully repay the outlay of time in at- 
tending them. The cattle raised in Cattaraugus already take a high 
rank in the eastern markets, and are sought for with a zeal which gives 



71 



substantial evidence of their value. Let us continue to improve as we 
have done for a few years past, and our stock will rank with any in the 
State. The greater portion of tliis county is well adapted to grazing 
purposes; our soil, climate, and elevation secure us against the severe 
droughts which so often destroy the pastures of the more central parts 
of the state. And the fact that the average time of foddering is less 
here than in the majority of the counties in the state, is a strong in- 
ducement to enlarge as well as improve in this branch of husbandry. 
The same organic laws of consanguinity govern the whole animal 
creation, and should never be neglected by any who are desirous to 
improve their stock. The expense of raising a superior horse is no 
more than one of our common breeds. And this fact holds true 
through the whole catalogue of domestic animals. The difference in 
the market value fully repays for all the trouble and expense of pro- 
curing valuable crosses of the different breeds, besides the gratification 
of a laudable state, county, and individual pride to excel. 

"This county is peculiarly well adapted to the raising of sheep; our 
hills affording them the richest and most reliable pasturage during the 
season, and our winters are mild in comparison with a large portion of 
the state, where wool growing is considered a lucrative business. 
Some more attention is required to improve our flocks, and in the 
manner of preparing the wool for market. In this branch of husbandry 
there is nothing to prevent our taking a high rank, but want of atten- 
tion on the part of farmers. 

"The dairies of our county have proved eminently successful, and 
the exports of butter and cheese have become a large item. They are 
holding a respectable rank in the market: the county can well sustain 
a very large increase, and every inducement to those engaged hi it to 
enlarge and improve is offered in the enhanced price and ready sale 
of their products. The grazing farmer has a decided advantage over 
those who are engaged in the growing of grain crops; the soil on 
grazing farms receives a proper return for the crop taken from it with 
very little expense to the cultivator — and at least sustains itself — and 
more generally increases in its products. This is not the case on grain 
farms ; they can only be kept up by a proper rotation of crops and the 
addition of manures more or less expensive. 

"Although the largest portion of the county is better adapted to 
grazing than the growing of grain, the latter should not be neglected, 
and the supply of animal and vegetable manures, always at the control 



72 

of the grazing farmer, will enable him to ensure a plentiful supply of 
grain for his own use: and those portions of the county which are 
better adapted to the raising of wheat, can with proper attention 
furnish a sufficient supply to prevent so large an import of flour from 
other sections of the State. Spring wheat has proved to be a profit- 
able crop in almost all parts of the county, and my own experience has 
satisfied me that winter wheat can be cultivated with profit on our 
pine lands in the vicinity of the Allegany. I have raised it to some 
extent for twenty years past, and seldom failed of a fair crop when the 
ground was properly prepared, and the wheat sown as early as the 
first of September. I have this year raised about thirty acres of winter 
wheat, a sample of which has been exhibited here, and I have the 
opinion of wheat farmers that it would be called a fair article in any 
market. In one field of six acres — clear of stumps, the soil a sandy 
loam underlaid with gravel, with a rolling surface — the original timber 
was white pine and oak. Two acres of it are occupied by a young 
apple orchard; the land was well manured from the barn yard in the 
spring of 1846; sowed to oats, and seeded with red clover, mowed 
twice in the summer of 184*1. In June, 1848, it was plowed under, 
ten inches deep, was cross plowed twice, and harrowed between each 
plowing. Twelve bushels of Hutchinson wheat, rolled in plaster, were 
sowed upon it the last week in August; fifteen bushels of lime were 
sown broad-cast on it, soon after it was harrowed in. This wheat was 
harvested between the 15th and 25th of July last; thrashed a few days 
since, showing a yield of 21 bushels to the acre, weighing 60 lbs. 
The remaining 24 acres, which had not been cleared of the pine stumps, 
were sowed about the same time with 1| bushels to the acre of the 
same kind of wheat, and produced 25 bushels to the acre. 

" I have in previous years raised wheat equal to this, and it is men- 
tioned at this time to induce others to try it. 

" There is one marked feature of our national character which is 
often displayed in our county: I allude to the great desire of change. 
The often futile hope of bettering their condition, by some lucky turn 
in the wheel of fortune, has induced many a farmer who was doing 
well to abandon all, and seek a new home upon the rich prairies of the 
west. A large proportion of this class would be very glad if they 
could return to their old localities, and exchange the ague and chill 
fevers imbibed in their land of promise for the bracing air and pure 
water of Cattaraugus. 



73 



"There is to some extent a want of taste in the construction of our 
farm liouses and the ont-buildings connected with them. All persons, 
in traveling through any country, form their opinion of its inhabitants 
by the appearance of their dwellings. A neat and well-ordered dwell- 
ing exercises a moral no less than a physical influence over its inmates, 
and is seldom found in the abode of ignorance, vice, or intemperance. 
One great advantage attending the judicious construction and location 
of buildings on a farm, is in fixing the value of the homestead in the 
minds of the family, thereby rendering the hearthstone more sacred. 

"The amount of capital invested in agricultural pursuits is always 
safer than in mercantile operations; commercial revulsions, the hazards 
of floods and of fires, often destroy the earnings of a life spent in the 
latter pursuit. The success of a very few of tliis class of men is not a 
proper criterion by wliich we are enabled to form a correct judgment. 
They are only the exceptions to the general rule. Of the numbers 
who have commenced in mercantile business, it has been estimated that 
ninety-five in every one hundred have failed. 

"The professions offer but little better encouragement. The me- 
chanical branches are not so much overstocked, and proffer more 
inducements to such as prefer leaving the safer pursuits of Agriculture. 
And when we inquire of a healthy, robust man, sixty-five years of age, 
what his calling has been, nineteen out of every twenty will inform us 
that they are farmers. Many other reasons offer themselves to my 
mind in favor of agricultural pursuits, but I forbear wearying your 
patience with this self-evident truth. 

"And in conclusion allow me to impress upon every young man, that 
the pursuits of the farmer are not incompatible with the character of a 
gentleman. He is in a position which enables him to feel a degree of 
independence which few, if any, professional or commercial men can 
arrive at, and an education is as important to him as to the profession- 
al man, and no substantial reason can be given why it is not. It may 
not be important for you to be able to conjugate the verbs, and trace 
out the roots of the dead languages, but it is important for you to 
know the chemical analysis of the different soils which are daily under 
your feet, and ascertain their adaptation to the various kinds of crops. 
Do all in your power to sustain your County Society: its influence is 
humanizing and exalting. Instead of wishing things better, go to 
work and make them so. Instead of spending your time in vain re- 
grets for some advantages in our neighboring counties, strive to equal 



74 

and to excel them; and not five years will have passed until cold frosty 
Cattaraugus will take a rank among other counties of the State, to 
which her natural resources and wealth justly entitle her." 



CHAUNCEY JOHNSTON FOX. 



Few men in the County of Cattaraugus are more intimately connect- 
ed with its history, or have borne a more conspicuous part in its public 
events since its organization, than the subject of this sketch. A his- 
tory of the early settlers of the county, who are identified with its 
fortunes, would be incomplete without mention of Mr. Fox; and in 
looking for examples of successful effort to overcome the adverse influ- 
ences of poverty and humble origin, in the road to honorable distinc- 
tion, no better illustration can be found in our midst. 

Mr. Fox was born on the 21st day of August, 179*7, in Tolland 
County, in the State of Connecticut. His father was a man of limited 
means, and unable to give his children any advantages of education 
beyond a meagre training in the Common Schools. 

In the year 1818, in the month of August, Mr. Fox left his home, 
with a view of estabhshing himself in business, or seeking some occu- 
pation that would furnish him a living, and, in company with a younger 
brother, came to Olean in this county. Not meeting with any em- 
ployment to his satisfaction, he conceived the idea of going down the 
river to Cincinnati. He accordingly purchased a skiff, procured a sup- 
ply of bread and cheese, and, with his brother, set out upon the voy- 
age, with no distinct idea of the geography of the country, or the dif- 
ficulties of the task he had undertaken. With the ardor of youth, 
and under the influence of a sanguine and hopeful nature, he did not 
hesitate to commit himself to the waters, never doubting that it would 
prove itself to him the "stream of fortune." After sailing down the cur- 
rent for an entire day, they found them.selves at night still surrounded 
by the wilderness, not having seen a white man since they started, and 
spent the night in their boat upon the water. The next day they pro- 
ceeded on their voyage, and towards night saw a white man crossing 




C^-^/ty ^-Uiuyt^ty^c^-^'V 




l\ML^hcJlyJchnUa7dey.L7UhlkUc<^y/S5. 



the river, and landing, they followed him to his house, which proved 
to be that of a settler by the name of Tome, well known in the early 
history of this section of country. 

At the suggestion of Tome, who offered to employ both the young 
men, the further prosecution of the voyage to Cincinnati was aban- 
doned, and the next day they went to work. Immediately upon the 
commencement of their labors, the brother of Mr. Fox was taken sick 
with tyi^hoid fever, and confined for a period of eight weeks. The ex- 
penses of this sickness exhausted all the means of both of the brothers, 
and they eveu sold then* clothes to discharge the liabilities incurred; 
and so severe did the burthen prove, that Chauncey exchanged the 
last suit he had for an old suit of regimentals that had "seen the 
wars," for the sake of the difference received. In procuring a physi- 
cian, he was compelled to travel to Ellicottville, the nearest point 
where one of these dignitaries resided, the distance being over thirty 
miles. The nearest physician was at this time in practice at Ellicott- 
ville, and although a good physician and an honorable and benevolent 
man, was in the habit of looking closely to his worldly interest, and 
demanded pay in advance. To accomplish his purpose, Mr. Fox dis- 
posed of some necessary articles of clothing, procured the means, and 
secured the attendance and services of the doctor. 

Soon after the recovery of his brother, Mr. Fox came to Great Val- 
ley, and for several years was engaged at lumbering, in the employ of 
Francis Green and Judge Chamberlain. Finding the labor too 
severe for his constitution, and fcehng that the instincts of his mind and 
genius were not directed in the jn'oper channel, he turned his attention 
to the study of the law. He commenced reading in the office of John 
A. Bryan, Esq., then the leading lawyer of the county, and in Janu- 
ary, 1826, was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas of 
the county, and was finally admitted as an Attorney in the Supreme 
Court, in January, 1833. From the period above mentioned, Mr. 
Fox has followed the profession of the law until after the passage of 
the Code, in 1848, when he retired to his fiirm in the neighborhood of 
Ellicottville, where he now resides, and is engaged in the peaceful oc- 
cupation of the agriculturalist. 

In his practice at the bar Mr. Fox was eminently successful. His 
strength was mainly as an advocate, and few men in the ranks of his 
profession possessed the power over a jury, and control over the minds 
of men, that he exhibited during his entire professional career. His 



76 

manner in speaking was earnest, energetic, and while indulging in few 
of the embellishments of oratory, he was gifted with a native eloquence 
that took deep hold of the minds and feelings of his auditors. 

Aside from his professional career, Mr. Fox has been prominently con- 
nected with the politics of the County and State. His connection with 
the i^arty that opposed the election of Gen. Jackson, and subsequently 
composed the Whig party of the country, gave him an opportunity of 
attaining the distinction to which the partiality of the people called him. 

In 1832 and 1833, he was elected to the Assembly from the County 
of Cattaraugus, and served through the sessions the following winters. 
In the fall of 1834, he was elected in the Eighth Senate District, a 
member of the State Senate, in the place of John Birdsall, resigned. 
In the fall of 1835, he was re-elected for the full term, and served until 
1840, when his term expired. During his service in the Senate, many 
important questions affecting the interests of his constituents were be- 
fore that body, and on all occasions received from him a zealous and 
efficient support. He was mainly instrumental in securing the passage 
of the bill to construct the Genesee Valley Canal, and has lived to see 
that important work in successful operation. 

In 1833, while in the Assembly, he advocated and secured the pas- 
sage of a law taxing the debts of non-residents; and while in the Sen- 
ate in 1838, brought forward, and sustained almost alone, an Act tax- 
ing the lands of non-residents, for the support of roads and bridges. 
These two measures were of great importance to the mterests of the 
county, and for many years had great influence upon its prosperity. 
In many of the towns a large revenue is still derived from non-resident 
landholders for the improvement of roads and bridges, and reheves the 
people of a heavy burthen in maintaining the avenues of travel in 
sparcely settled districts. Nor should the labors of Mr. Fox in behalf 
of the New York and Erie Railroad be forgotten. As chairman of 
the Railroad Committee in the Senate, he rendered invaluable aid in 
securing the advancement of this great work ; and to no one man in the 
Legislature during the progress of important bills in aid of the road 
through that body, are the people more indebted for its final success, 
than to Mr. Fox. It must l^e no small gratification to him to know 
that his services are properly appreciated. 

In the exciting political debates in that body he also took a promi- 
nent part, and mamtained a high position among such men as Young, 







l'„/,li..-h,;i l,yj.,l,,i \l,tiil<\- LillJc Val/e^■.yy fSS7. 



?7 

Maynard, and Seward, and others who from time to time were his as- 
sociates. 

He has also lield various otlier poHtieal and ofliieial stations, by elec- 
tion from the people. He was nominated by his party as a candidate 
for delegate to the Constitutional Convention, in 1846, but declmed to 
run. He has ever possessed a strong hold upon the aifections of the 
people, and whenever a candidate for their suffrages he has run largely 
in advance of his ticket. 

In addition to his civil honors, he has somehow obtained the mili- 
tary title of " Colonel," but whether from a legitimate claim to the of- 
fice, as actually one of his " country's defenders," or from the fact of 
owning in his early years and wearing the above mentioned suit of regi- 
mentals, we are not advised; but be that as it may, he would do no 
discredit to the position if he were called upon to fill it now. 

Mr. Fox has succeeded in accumulating a handsome competence, 
and is now enjoying a life of retirement on one of the finest farms in the 
county. His taste is particidarly gratified in raising stock, and al- 
though he may not boast of his " cattle on a thousand hills," his con- 
tribution of animals at the County Fairs is at once evidence of his 
success in this branch of agricultural industry, and his enterprise and 
liberality in an effort to improve this great and leading interest of our 
population. 



ALSON LEAVENWORTH, M. D. 



The subject of this sketch, Hon. Alson Leavenworth, was born in 
the town of Woodbury, (near Roxboro',) Litchfield County, in the 
State of Connecticut, on the 12th day of October, 1788. In his boy- 
hood — as was the custom in the good old "land of steady habits" — • 
he was sent to the common schools to receive that mental culture, to 
fit him for future usefulness, that the early New England school-mas- 
ters knew so well how to impart, and, when necessary, how to impress, 
upon the minds of the rising youths committed to their charge; and, 
at home, that careful moral training which can alone be imparted 
under the parental roof, and which seldom fails as the monitor to 
right through hfe. 



78 

During the summer seasons, young Leavenworth worked on the 
farm with his father and brothers, until he became of age ; when he 
commenced the study of Medicine under experienced practitioners, and 
pursued his studies diligently until May, 1811; when, having success- 
fully passed the rigid examination peculiar to the allopathic faculty, 
he was licensed to practice medicine and surgery in his native State. 
On the 11th October, 1811, Dr. Leavenworth married Miss Sally 
Canfield, of Woodbury, who has been his accomplished wife for the 
long period of forty-six years. In the course of his first year's profes- 
sional service in his native town, he became convinced that the mere 
study of books and ordinary practice did not qualify him to perform, 
with confident skill, surgery in the varied forms in which cases were 
likely to occur. The necessary education in this most difficult branch 
of the medical profession could only be supplied at some medical col- 
lege, located in a large city, in connection with daily hospital practice. 

Now, there could be no difficulty in supplying this deficiency; for 
the novice in Litchfield County could take his seat iu the cars of the 
Housatonic Railroad, and in four hours enter the portals of the 
Albany Medical College; iu sixteen hours, via the N". Y. Central Rail- 
road, be received as a student in the medical department of the TJni- 
versity at Buffalo. This is true of 1851; but the time young Dr. 
Leavenworth thought of completing his education in Surgery was 
anno 1812. Buffalo did not possess a village corporation; Albany 
was a small city; there was no Housatonic nor a N. Y. Central Rail- 
road — nor even an Erie Canal. The University of Pennsylvania, 
located in the City of Philadelphia — the then commercial metropolis 
of the Union — presented the most eligible opportunity for young 
Leavenworth to perfect himself in his chosen profession; having am- 
ple daily hospital practice in medicine and sm'gery, the most eminent 
professors in its faculty, and easily accessible 1iy the trading vessels 
that frequently visited that port. 

Accordingly, in the autumn of 1812, Dr. Leavenworth made the 
voyage to Philadelphia, and entered the University as a student. 
The Professors of the University, headed by Dr. Rush, were each 
eminent in the department of his professorship, and presenting a com- 
bined array of learning, talent, and practical medical and surgical skill 
unsurpassed— justifying its distinguished reputation, and giving it the 
pre-eminence as the first Medical University on the continent. During 
his year oi practice, he did not relax his studies of the best medical au- 



79 



thors; so that in attending the several "courses of lectures" at the 
University, and the hospital practice, he was enabled to make more 
rapid proficiency than the average of his 500 fellow students. 

It was the fortune of Dr. Leavenworth to be one of the class that 
attended the last course of lectures prepared and delivered by the cele- 
brated Bexjami.v Rush, M.D., one of the Professors of the University, 
a distinguished revolutionary patriot, and a Signer of the Declaration 
or Independence, as a delegate from Pennsylvania, in the Continental 
Congress. 

Graduating in the spring of 1813, Dr. Leavenworth returned to his 
home in Connecticut, and resumed the practice of his profession, and 
soon after received the appointment of Surgeon in the Connecticut line 
of militia, ordered into the service of the United States, in the war with 
Great Britain, 1812-14. But the well-known dispute between the 
authorities of the General Government and the State, regardmg the 
right of each to appoint the regimental and general officers to command 
the State Militia, when called into the service of the L^nited States, 
prevented Dr. Leavenworth seeing active service under this appoint- 
ment. The State was undoubtedly right in its claim to officer its own 
militia — a right that the volunteer regiments in the late war with 
Mexico exercised, by electing their own officers. During the four or 
five years following the war of 1812-14, many of the young men of 
Connecticut turned their attention to the public lands granted to that 
State, by Congress, for her services during the Revolutionary War. 
These lands were in the State of Ohio, constituting a large territory in 
the northern portion of the State, and bordering on Lake Erie, and were 
reserved to the State of Connecticut, (as before observed,) embracing 
the district now familiarly known as the " Western Reserve,"- — then, 
as the " Connecticut Reserve." 

In the spring of 1818, Dr. Leavenworth decided to emigrate to that 
far-distant State. Accordingly a large covered wagon was prepared 
and fitted up with the household goods; a yoke of working oxen were 
purchased; the arrangements being all completed, the solemn (and 
final, as all believed,) leave-taking ended; in June, bidduig farewell to 
the " land of steady habits," the long journey was began, and in four 
weeks the party arrived in the village of Batavia. There they halted 
to recruit their team and rest themselves after the fatigues of the slow, 
tedious journey. Reader, think of that journey of four weeks, with ox 
teams, that could now be performed in sixteen hours! 



While sojourning at Batavia, Dr. Leavenworth became acquainted 
with the agents of the Holland Land Company, by whom he was posted 
up in regard to the lands m Cattaraugus County. Meeting occasion- 
ally with persons who had settled there, and from their representations 
of the healthfulness of the climate, its unsurpassed, pure spring water, 
the good quality of the soil, and the great quantity of fine timber, he 
decided to go and examine for himself. After about a week's tedious 
journey, with the ox team, through the almost unbroken wilderness of 
"cold Cattaraugus," on the 25th of September they reached "the vil- 
lage" of Ellicottville, consisting of the "public square," thickly studded 
with the stumps of the recently fallen trees, the Land Office, a few log 
tenements, and a "hotel." To revert back, one would naturally sup- 
pose that the demand for a doctor and the prospect for a cornucopia 
were equally dubious! Xot so, however; for the "ills that flesh is heir 
to" follow ahke the back-woodsman, the villager, or the denizen of the 
crowded city; and it was not long before the doctor had patients — 
many, doubtless, severely taxing his patience without replenishing his 
garner, though extending his fame. As the settlers located here and 
there over the country. Dr. Leavenworth received calls as necessity 
demanded: sometimes near by, frequently a few miles off, quite often 
long distances; from whatever quarter came the summons, true to his 
tutelar divinity, (J^sculapius,) the horse was saddled, the saddle-bags 
and axe prepared, and the doctor was off upon the rough journey of 
mercy, hope, and danger. In those days the axe was to the doctor a 
necessity to "spot trees" to find his way back, and when at the pa- 
tient's shanty or log house, to cut browse for his faithful horse, and not 
unfrequently to cut firewood for the inmates. The patient served — a 
hearty meal of mush or samp disposed of — the invalid's blessing — the 
doctor remounts and starts on his homeward journey, when he is met 
by messengers who require his attention in other directions; and after 
a few miles through the woods, strike an Indian trail, which is followed 
up the Little Valley Creek, over by the Drew gulf valley, till the sec- 
ond patient's house is reached — the sufferer's necessities attended to, 
the horse browsed, when a "bee line due north" is struck, and over 
hills and valleys goes the doctor, 20 miles, to a thkd patient, on the 
Cattaraugus Creek. A sound night's sleep on a hemlock brush bed, 
and in the morning taking the settler's trail, the doctor wends his way 
homeward, which he reaches at nightfall, after several days' absence. 
His practice extended from Kinzue and Corydon, in Pennsylvania, on 



81 

the South, to CoUius, in Erie County, N. Y., North; among Indians 
as well as whites was he called to visit the sick. 

A doctor's life, in its best phase, is one not to be envied; but to one, 
like the venerable subject of this notice, who has performed laborious 
pioneer service, his memory, at least, should be held in grateful remem- 
brance. Doubtless the doctor's genial humor, and his inexhaustible 
fund of wit and anecdote, often served to alleviate (if not the antidote) 
the patieut's sufferings. 

Dr. Leavenworth, as a physician, was often called to the perform- 
ance of difficult cases of surgery, which, at the present day, with the 
improved surgical instruments now in use, could be more easily accom- 
plished. A case of importance, (and the first one ever performed in 
the county,) was related to the writer of this notice, that required the 
amputation of a limb of a middle-aged Indian, residing upon the Alle- 
gany Reservation, which at once shows the ready resources of the doc- 
tor, and the unflinching nerve of his counseling friend and assistant in 
the operation, John Greex, Esq. 

The Indian had suffered for several years with a lame knee, that 
finally became so dangerous as to threaten Ms life; when his condition 
became knov.n to the Quakers residing at the Quaker Mission, near 
the southern end of the Reservation, these benevolent Friends applied 
to Dr. Leavenworth for medical advice, who, upon examination, decid- 
ed that amputation was absolutely necessary to save his life. Accord- 
ingly the doctor made (from necessity) his surgical instruments from a 
carpentei''s chest of tools, and the following day, assisted by John 
Green, Esq., and another resident of Great Yalley, amputated the 
poor Indian's leg. As the doctor began his work, the latter assistant 
fainted. Green made a brisk application of sole leather upon his 
nether person, and he speedily revived and left, when the doctor, assisted 
by Green, successfully accomplished the painful task, and the Indian so 
far regained his health and strength as to live to a good old age. 

A friend relates a good anecdote of the doctor, that shows self-reli- 
ance on his part, as well as it illustrates the old saw, that "in a multi- 
tude of doctors there is danger." The doctor was taken suddenly and 
violently sick, and of course other doctors volunteered their offices; but 
the doctor sent for his old personal and valued friend, Samuel Ewing, 
Esq., to whom he stated his case, prepared a written "prescription," 
and told him that, from the nature and situation of his disease, he 
feared that he might become deranged; "but," said the doctor, "let 
6 



t2 

the disease run as it may, I charge you to follow my prescription to 
the letter, and at all events hep the doctors aicaij !'' 

Besides his multifarious cures as a physician, Judge Leavenworth 
has held various public offices, and served his fellow citizens in any ca- 
pacity where they deemed his services useful. On the 25th of Janu-^ 
ary, 1823, he was appointed First Judge of the County Courts of Cat- 
taraugus County, which office he continued to hold until February 15, 
1833, when he was succeeded by Hon. Benjamin Chamberlain. Al- 
though not educated to the bar, and having but slight knowledge of 
law as a science, he brought to the performance of his duties a large 
fund of common sense, an intuitive perception of legal principles, and a 
deep appreciation of the equitable obligations and duties of the citizen 
in all his varied relations. With an integrity above suspicion, and be- 
yond the reach of all extraneous influences, he held the scales of justice 
with an even hand, and parties and suitors in his Court seldom had oc- 
casion to appeal from his decisions, or complain of his administration of 
the law. His intercourse with the bar was always pleasant and famil- 
iar, and while he presided in his Court with a spirit of kindness, and a 
familiar and unrestrained bearing and manner, the innate integrity and 
dignity of his character was reflected upon his office, and commanded 
the respect of all who had occasion to appear before him in his official 
character. 

He has also held the office of Supervisor of the towns of Coldspring and 
New Albion ; a Commissioner to superintend the erection of the County 
buildings at Ellicottville ; Commissioner of Loans; and a Commissioner 
to lay out public roads on the Indian Reservation, and various other 
positions, of which we have no data. In all these various public trusts 
he has maintained a course of sterling honesty that has never been im- 
peached, and we are not aware that a charge of official delinquency of 
any sort has ever been made against him. He has brought to the 
discharge of official trusts the same principles of action that governed 
his conduct in private life, and has ever acted upon the rule, that dis- 
honesty and craft, in pohtical affairs and public stations, was no more 
to be tolerated than knavery in affairs of business, or his social rela- 
tions. 

Judge Leavenworth has participated to a considerable extent in the 
public enterprises of the county. We may mention with propriety his 
exertions in procuring from the Holland Land Company a reduction 
on the price of the lauds, and an entire surrender of the accumulated 





^^^-^^^^ 



\^ 



I'lihUshci hy J,:/,n .l/crn/,-\ , l.itile \aUey,.\.\.ia57. 



83 

interest on land contracts, held by the Company against the early set- 
tlers. This measure was of vast importance to the settlers, and gave 
an immediate impulse to the population of the county, a fact probably 
not well understood now, but was and is appreciated by the pioneers of 
the county. The Judge was one of the original projectors of, and a 
liberal contriljutor to the fund for the erection of the Randolph 
Academy. 

Judge Leavenworth, by diligence, liberal economy, and judicious in- 
vestments, is in possession of a competency; and long may he live to 
enjoy the fruits of his well-filled cornucopia! Whoever has traveled on 
the IS^ew York and Erie RaOroad, has, of course, as the cars swept 
around the crescent at Cattaraugus Station, noticed the elegant brick 
mansion resting on the southern edge of a hundred acres of table land, 
forming the handsomest plateau on the line of the road. That is the 
homestead of Judge Leavenworth; there he enjoys life, pets his fine herd, 
hospitably entertains his friends; can tell many a pleasant anecdote of 
the early pioneer hfe in the county; and there, as elsewhere, in his 
green old age, perhaps no man in the coimty is more sincerely esteemed. 



STALEY NICHOLS CLARKE. 



The real value to society of an individual member consists not so 
much in his exhibition of those shining powers of intellect which com- 
pel our admiration, as in the daily manifestation of those more attrac- 
tive qualities of heart which win our confidence and love. Great 
abilities assuredly have their uses, and when their destiny is properly 
unfolded, the world is a gainer by their existence, and a loser by their 
decay. But the virtues of charity, largeness of soul, and an ever- 
actuating sympathy for and with one's kind, are essential elements in 
every pleasure. The great die and are buried. The good are buried 
but never die, for their souls are so inwrought into the lives of those 
around them, that the aggregate existence of the community is, to some 
extent, a continuous and permanent embodiment of their character. 
Their names may not live upon the lips of men, but the actual effects 



of their influence and example descend from generation to generation, 
a precious and perpetual inheritance of strenuous, but unobtrusive 
virtue. 

The man, therefore, who unites goodness of heart with intellectual 
ability, has a claim upon our esteem while living, and upon our affec- 
tionate remembrance when dead, which, for the honor of our race, we 
should never disregard. It is a worthy, and should be a pleasurable 
task, for each to contribute his share, however slight, towards a prop- 
er recognition of the value of such a character. It is with a feeling 
akin to this, that the present sketch of one more thoroughly identified 
than any other with the history and prosperity of our county, is under- 
taken. 

Stalei' Nichols Clarke was born in Prince George's County, in the 
State of Maryland, on the 29th day of May, 1794. At the age of 
twenty-one he emigrated to Western New York, and began his career 
in life as a clerk in the Bank of Niagara, at Buffalo. In 1819 Mr. 
Clarke removed to Batavia, where he was employed as a clerk in the 
office of the Holland Land Company until January, 1822, when he 
took charge of the office of the Company at Ellicottville as their agent. 

The County of Cattaraugus was then a comparative wilderness, 
whose aboriginal beauty of hill and valley, of heavy forest and unob- 
structed water-courses, had suffered but little waste from the hands of 
men. Olean, from its situation on the Allegany River, was even then 
a place of considerable consequence. The surface of the county was 
dotted here and there with an occasional clearing, but in general nature 
reigned in undisputed sway. Even Ellicottville was closely environed 
by forests; it was a mere island in an ocean of verdure. 

The settlers were necessarily poor. Like all who immigrate to un- 
settled territory, they came, to a great extent, destitute, either driven 
by necessity or impelled by enterprise. With no capital, but stout 
hearts and hands willing to toil, it was no light task to grapple at once 
with the exigencies of debt and the stern hardships of backwoods life. 
Separated by an almost impassable distance from home and birth-place, 
in the heart of a wilderness, invulnerable to aught but endless toil; cut 
off from all but occasional communication with the friends they had 
left behind, and provided with but scanty means to meet an accumulat- 
ing indebtedness, it would not have been surprising if even their iron 
nerves had yielded to the crushing burden of their lot, and repudiated 
the uno-rateful task of redeeming an unwilling soil. But they were not 



f- 



85 

the men to repine or succumb. Tlieir work was before them, and they 
did it well. To their spirit amidst discouragements, to their hope 
amidst reverses, to their fortitude iu trial, to their determined and per- 
sistent energy at all times, we, whose comforts are the fruits of their 
privations — whose labors are lightened by their toil — whose possessions 
are enriched by their exertions, are imder an obligation which wc do 
not appreciate, and cannot discharge. 

To these hardy pioneers the advent of Mr. Clarke was an inestima- 
ble blessing. Their scanty crops, wrung with strenuous and painful 
effort from a reluctant soil, barely sufficed to meet their immediate 
wants, and afforded but meagre encouragement of means for liquidat- 
ing the claim of the landlord. In him, however, their embarrassments 
found a ready appreciation. Gifted with that true generosity of heart 
which constitutes the only genuine nobility, those in need of kindness 
and indulgence met from him not the oppression of the task-master, 
but the sympathy and encouragement of a friend. His fidelity to those 
who employed him was scrupulous and unquestioned; but to lend a 
willing ear and a helping hand to the appeal made by penury and dis- 
tress he has ever regarded as a duty paramount to all, and imposed 
upon him by the very fact of his manhood. Those who have experi- 
enced kindness at his hands, and their name is legion, will bear testi- 
mony to the assertion that in no case of actual need was an applica- 
tion for lenity or kindness ever made in vain. Many of these objects 
of his beneficence are now living, rich in the enjoyment of this world's 
goods, in herds of cattle and acres of cultivated land, but neither age 
nor prosperity has dimmed their gratitude for the kindness he has 
shown them in their hour of need. 

The confidence and affection with which he was regarded led to his 
election as County Ti-easurer in 1824, an office which he continued to 
fill through a period of seventeen years. In November, 1840, he was 
elected to Congress, where he served his constituents during his term 
of office. Since then he has- filled no public place. Though deeply 
interested in all that concerns the welfare of the country, he has no 
craving for the stormy and unsubstantial excitement of political war- 
fare, and readily yielded his place to more ambitious men. 

Mr. Clarke was married in October, 1816, and has raised a family 
of eleven children. Sorrow and death, from whose melancholy visi- 
tation none are exempt, have cast their unwelcome shadows across his 
threshold. His estimable wife, with whom time has dealt so tenderly 



86 

that but few of its footprints are left to mark its passage, with vigor 
undiminished and faculties unimpaired, still lives, the stay and compan- 
ion of his declining years. For forty years they have traveled on 
through Ufe together. They have seen the young grow old, and chil- 
dren ripen into maturity around them. They have lived to witness 
changes, such as in an earher age men would have called miracles, and 
ascribed to the gods. They have seen a wilderness transformed from 
a luxuriant waste, and made to bloom and blossom as the rose. They 
have beheld villages shooting up around them into flourishing cen- 
tres of enterprise and intelligence. And more than all, they have lived 
in an abundant experience of the daily blessings which acts of sympa- 
thy and kindness, even in this world, shower upon hmi who performs 
them. 

For him who has thus lived, the future can have no terrors. Happy 
in the enjoyment of his family, in the consciou^ess of not having lived 
in vain, and in the affectionate regard in which all hold him, it would 
be strange indeed if old age were not to him the sunny side of exist- 
ence; and there are none who will not join in the expression of a prayer 
that his Ufe may be long preserved, as fruitful a source of unclouded en- 
joyment to himself as it has proved prohfic of benefit and happiness to 
others. 



FRANCIS SMITH EDWARDS. 



It is given to but few men to attain high position in social and po- 
litical life before reaching the merichan of manhood. The history of Mr. 
Edwards furnishes one of these few instances, where public confidence 
and favor are promptly bestown in appreciation of merit. 

Mr. Edwards was the second son of Joseph and Abigail Edwards, 
and born at Norwich, in the State of Connecticut, May 28, 1818; 
and is consequently now in the fortieth year of his age. He originates 
from families strongly imbued with heroic patriotism. His grandfather 
on the maternal side was Captain Samuel Buel, an active and promi- 
nent hero of the Revolution. His grandfather on the paternal side 
was also a soldier of the Revolution, and likewise engaged in the pubUc 




(^ i^/try,^ . . ^ 



/ 



/■iihli.y/>r,< hv John \ht,,/,'V J.ill/,- V.t//,x .\ )/.■>.. 



87 

service in the French War, having been present at the taking of Que- 
bec, and assisted in carrying from the field the gallant dying General 
Wolfe. 

The father of our subject, who was a farmer by occupation, emi- 
grated from Connecticut while the latter was an infant, and settled at 
Windsor, Broome County, N. Y., where he engaged in the lumbering 
business, and prosecuted it extensively about five years, after which he 
removed to North Norwich, Chenango County, and purchased a farm 
of two hundred acres, on which he resided about twenty years, and 
then removed to Wisconsin, where he died in the year 1852. The 
son lived under the paternal roof until 1834, having been meanwhile 
a diligent student with books in and out of school, save while assisting 
his father in the labors of the farm. At this period, at the age of six- 
teen, young Edwards entered the Hamilton Seminary, now Hamilton 
University, at Hamilton, where he remained three years in close study 
of the Enghsh branches and the classics. 

In the spring of 183t, he commenced the study of the law in the 
oflBce of Messrs. Wait and Cook, at Norwich, the former a distin- 
guished member of the bar in that section of the State. After a thor- 
ough study of three years, he was admitted to practice in all the vari- 
ous courts of the State, at the May Term of the Supreme Court in 
the City of New York, when an examination, memorable for its rigid 
severity of trial, was had under the express injunctions of the Chief 
Justice presiding, who appointed for examiners the following distin- 
guished men, then or thereafter known as Judges Strong, of Tioga, 
Edwards, of New York, and Hon. Mr. Kirkland, of Utica. It is 
sufficient to say, to show how thorough and unrelaxing was this ex- 
amination, that but twenty of the class of seventy proposed passed 
successfully through this ordeal, which oc(;upied eleven hours in sittings 
continued two days. 

Thus honorably passed upon, Mr. Edwards immediately opened a 
law office at Sherburne, Chenango County, where he prosecuted a 
successful business for the term of four years. Meanwhile, he was 
twice elected to the office of Justice of the Peace. So satisfactorily 
had he discharged the duties of the office during the first term, that 
on the latter occasion he succeeded as the only candidate on his ticket. 
It was while residing here also, that he entered the nuitriinonial state, 
and in October, 1840, was married to Miss Julia S. White, (daughter 
of the late Squire White, M. D., of Fredonia,) by whom he subse- 



88 

quently had two children. In 1841, he was appointed a Master in 
Chancery for the County of Chenango, by nomination of Governor 
Seward and confirmation of the Senate, and held the office till his re- 
moval from the comity. 

In the autumn of 1844, Mr. Edwards removed to the City of Al- 
bany, where he entered upon an extensive practice in his profession, 
in connection with his brother-in-law, Wm. D. White, Esq. He re- 
mained in Albany until April, 1851, when he removed to Fredonia, 
(the native home of his wife, and the place of residence of her father 
and numerous kindred, ) and commenced practice in his profession in 
eompany with Messrs. P. S. Cottle and S. Snow. In this firm he 
continued one year, when the partnership was changed to Cottle & 
Edwards, and so continued, extensively patronised, until November, 
1855. In 1852, Mr. Edwards was elected on the Whig ticket, to 
which he was unanimously nominated, as Special Surrogate of the 
County of Chautauque, for the term of three years. The duties of 
this office, apart from those when acting as substitute for the Surro- 
gate, are the same as those devolved upon the Justices of the Supreme 
Com't and County Judge at Chambers, and it is proper to say, that 
they were discharged with fidehty by him during his term. 

From early hfe, Mr. Edwards has been an ardent politician, in the 
original sense of the term before Ijecoming charged with derogatory 
signification. He early embraced the doctrines of the Whig party, as 
taught by Clay and Webster, and always acted in sympathy with 
the conservative Whigs, imtil the commencement of the American 
movement, which at once enlisted his sympathies and secured his bold 
and efficient advocacy, as it did the approbation and support of the 
conservative Whigs generally throughout the Union. Without going 
into a history of the canvass for member of Congress in his district 
(composed of Cattaraugus and Chautauque) during the fall of 1854, 
full of events complicating that interesting and exciting contest, it is 
sufficient to say, that Mr. Edwards was nominated as a candidate by 
the American party, acting independently, in a secret convention held 
at Dunkirk, on the Wednesday evening preceding the election; that 
he was present at that convention, and twice declined the nomination, 
but on the third tender of the position, accepted it only under a view 
of the necessity which required an exposed champion and leader for 
the new party, who in the then aspect of the canvass was in all pro- 
bability to be made a martyr by the other parties, leaving scarce a 



89 

hope of the alternative result of coming out a successful hero; and 
that, contrary to all expectation, until the blunders of the combmed 
opposition had opened the matter to doubt on the day preceding the 
election, he was elected by a heavy majority over all others. 

Mr. Edwards took his seat in the United States House of Pv^epre- 
seutatives in December, 1855. The first session of the Thirty-fourth 
Congress, to which he had been thus elected on the American issues, was 
made, by what he and his political friends regarded unnatural diversions 
of one sort or another, one of the most exciting and painfully interesting 
in the history of the Groverument ; and the second was little behind the 
first in attracting the anxious attention of the people, save that the 
novelties of a bitter sectional agitation had then become ordhiary ap- 
pearances, and the public mind v/as turning toward the ensuing Presi- 
dential election. 

The first Session was made memorable by the tedious and exciting 
contest for the Speakership. It was during this contest, which, to a 
certain extent, was unfairly made a struggle between the two sections 
of the country nominally dividing on Mason & Dixon's fine, but really 
separating and subdividing widiout reference to geographical lines, on 
other bases, that the course of Mr. Edwards became of great embar- 
rassment. Himself altogether opposed to sectional agitation of what- 
ever origin, and bent on giving prominence on all occasions to the 
questions on which he was elected, it was not strange that he should 
favor, during several weeks of contest, the election of some Northern 
man not so closely identified with sectionalism as was Mr. Banks, and 
that he should afterward, on coming to the conclusion that the organ- 
ization of the House could he secured in no other way, give his sup- 
port to Mr. Banks, for that end, and for the reason, also, that Mr. 
Banks solemnly pledged himself to the maintenance of American Prin- 
ciples. 

In all his votes on the ballots for Speaker, on the Whitfield contest- 
ed election case, on the Topeka Constitution, and the restricting sec- 
tion in the Appropriation Bills, and in all matters of similar character, 
Mr. Edwards deferred to what appeared to be the will of his constitu- 
ents, inasmuch as he felt it to be the duty of the Representative to 
truly reflect the views and feelings of the people of his district in his 
official conduct, though it might sometimes require the sacrifice of his 
own personal opinions. In his speeches he also endeii^vored to give 



&0 

to the House and the country a faithful expression of the sentiments 
and wishes prevailing at the time among his constituency. 

The same rule of conduct, imposing obedience to popular will 
when definitely expressed, was permitted to govern him in all his ac- 
tion at the Second Session. It is unnecessary to go into detail as to 
his votes or speeches on different subjects. It is believed that all of 
the important votes given by him were satisfactory to the great ma- 
jority of his constituents, and that his speeches truly reflected their 
sentiments. The illness of his wife, which commenced soon after the 
first assumption of his Congressional duties, and, ere long, signified 
the slow, but certain fate of the consumptive, served to distract his 
mind, and embarrass him in the performance of his official labors. It 
was while absent from Washington, on a visit to the beloved partner 
of his bosom, an idol of his early and constant manly worship, wast- 
ing away without the most distant expectation of recovery to tempt 
to resort to the consolations of hopeful anticipations, that some im- 
portant votes in Congress were taken. This cloud, dark with im- 
pending calamity the most distressing man can feel, hung over him 
throughout the first Session. It finally burst upon him soon after 
the adjournment. Mrs. Edwards expired on the 14th September of 
that year — 1856. 

Just before the close of the Thirty-Fourth Congress, to which Mr. 
Edwards was elected, he resigned his seat. He felt that it was alike 
due to himself and his constituents, that he should take this step. He 
knew, better than all others, that he had been unjustly charged with 
corrupt conduct in reference to the bill granting Public Lands to aid 
in constructing Railroads in the Territory of Minnesota; that he had 
been most unfairly tried before a secret inquisition; and that he could 
not re-open that trial before the House, which, notwithstanding, was 
to pass upon his case summarily, with party and personal interests, 
without any future responsibilities to restrain their conduct thereon, 
also combined with an ex-parte attack against him. It is very proper 
here to say, that while the bill in question was represented to be 
tainted with corruption, it passed the Senate nearly unanimously, and 
also through the House, where it received the votes of at least two 
of the Corruption Investigating Committee, by a very heavy majority, 
after the ichole affair had been gone through with. 

It is due to Mr. Edwards also to say, that he has in his possession 
a document, signed by one hundred and sixty-nine fellow Representa- 







I'uhhshr.i hy ./,,/,,, l/,i,l/i-i . hllll,- Vil/lfy ,.\ X. /h'oi 



91 

tives, not only testifying to his honorable conduct generally, in and 
oat of the House, lut solemnly declaring their belief of his entire inno- 
cence of all the charges brought against him. This triumphant acquit- 
tal by the House itself in one sense, as it includes the signatures, in 
the proper hand of each member, of more than two-thirds of that body, 
is but a just award, while it is a most gratifying result to himself and 
his district. 

It is but just to say further of Mr. Edwards, that he has made a 
deep impression on his district, in moulding popular sentiment on the 
great questions of the day. He has written much and spoken more 
that will serve to influence political action throughout his district for 
a long time to come, and be attended, as his friends believe, with very 
salutary results. 



REUBEN EATON FENTON. 



The subject of the present memoir, Hon. Reuben Eaton Fenton, 
was born in what now is the town of Carroll, County of Chautauque, 
and State of New York, on the 4th day of July, 1819, and is now 
thirty-eight years of age. His early years did not develope any very 
striking peculiarities, if we except his strong desire and constant en- 
deavor to excel his associates while attending the common school, at 
which institution he received the greater part of those business qualifi- 
cations and that practical education which has rendered him successful 
in all the active transactions of his after-life. 

He, Uke most other boys, the sons of the hardy pioneers of Western 
New York, endured many hardships and privations, spending the most 
of his time till he was fifteen years of age, except a few months in the 
year while attending the winter schools, at hard work upon his father's 
farm. 

In the years of 1834-5 he attended, in its incipient state, "College 
Hill Academy," an institution that has since expanded into the "Farm- 
er's College," one of the first institutions of learning in Ohio. His 
progress and proficiency while at "College Hill," or "Pleasant Hill," 
as it was then called, were such as to receive from his teachers the 



92 

highest encomiums. Leaving "Pleasant Hill," he spent a brief period 
in the year 1836 or 1837 at the "Fredonia Academy," in his native 
county, but his health failing, he left this institution. This constitutes 
the whole of his educational privileges. 

Mr. Fenton early evinced more than an ordinary penchant to min- 
gle in the exciting scenes of the political arena, and at the village club 
or evening debate was usually a successful speaker, and while quite 
young discovered much speaking talent. Regaining his health some- 
what, he entered in 1838 the law office of Joseph and Fraxklin H. 
Waite, Esqrs., in the village of Jamestown, and remained for nearly a 
year; more, however, with a view of becoming qualified for those ac- 
tive business transactions in which he was about to engage, and becom- 
ing familiar with those principles and forms of law with which every 
business man should acquaint himself, than Avith any intention of pur- 
suing the profession of law as an occupation. 

In the year 1840 he commenced those successful operations in the 
lumber trade which have since rendered his name a household word 
among lumbermen, from the head-waters of the Allegany to the mouth 
of the Ohio; having also engaged, the year previous, in the mercantile 
business in the village of Frewsburg, in Chautauque County, being then 
twenty years of age. No memorandum of the active and eventful life 
of Col. Fenton could be complete, without an allusion to his extensive 
and uniformly successful transactions in this branch of his .business. 

Commencing, as we have said, in 1840 on a small scale, and owing 
to the failure and inability to assist him of those on whom under other 
circumstances he might have leaned for aid, with a very small capital 
he has gradually extended and enlarged his operations, imtil he is now 
numbered among the most extensive lumber dealers whose rich and 
valuable products float annually down the endless maze of our beauti- 
ful Western rivers. His uniform and we may say never-failing success 
has become proverbial with lumbermen; it has been by them attribu- 
ted to his "good luck." It is often facetiously remarked that "it is 
impossible for his property to be injured, because he is so lucky." 

This, however, is not the secret of his success, either in business or 
in the political arena. One of the principal characteristics of Mr. Fen- 
ton's career is untirimg sleepless vigilance and personal attention to all 
the details of his business; never trusting anything to others that it is 
possible to do himself, and never putting off till to-morrow what ought 
to be done to-day. This personal care and superintendence of his 



affairs, and promptness to execute at the right time, more than any 
favoritism of dame fortune, is the cause of his uniform success in busi- 
ness and poUtics so far in life. 

In 1843, being then twenty-four years of age, he was elected with 
much unanimity Supervisor of the town of Carroll, in Chautauque 
County, and remained for the eight succeeding years a member of that 
body, and for three of those yeax's was chosen Chairman of that Board. 
This fact, at a time when Chautauque was strongly adverse to the po- 
litical party to which Mr. Fenton had attached himself, gave early 
evidence of that growing popularity with the people that has since 
enabled him to measure swords successfully with some of 'the oldest 
veterans among his political opponents in the Thirty-third Congressional 
District. His course as a County Legislator was marked with much 
ability, there developing those qualifications which afterwards rendered 
him distinguished in the National Legislature. 

In 1849, Col. Fenton received the nomination for Assembly in the 
Eastern District of Chautauque, by the Democratic party, against the 
Whig candidate, Maj. Saaiuel Barrett, of Jamestown. The Whig 
majority in that county and district was then strong, Chautauque at 
that time being the banner Whig County in the State. The contest 
was close and animated. JMr. Fenton was beaten in the district by 
only 21 votes, many of his friends claiming that if the canvass had been 
perfectly fair, he Avould have distanced his competitor. Be that as it 
may, the result broke that prestige of success that had for years ren- 
dered the Whig party invincible in Chautauque. 

The Democratic party of his Congressional district, becoming satis- 
fied that, added to his other quahfications, he possessed that of run- 
ning well, in 1850 gave him the nomination for Congress, in opposition 
to Hon. F. S. Martix, of Olean. This nomination Mr. Fextox de- 
clined, Hon. F. H. Wao'e, of Jamestown, being substituted. 

In 1852, Col. Fentox received and accepted from the Democratic 
party the nomination for Congress against Hon. Gr. A. S. Crooker, of 
Cattaraugus. This was a very exciting canvass. Mr. Crooker was a 
Whig lawyer, possessed of brilliant speaking talents, which he exerted 
to the utmost. In a district so strongly Whig in politics, it seemed a 
wild adventure for a young man, a leading Democrat, to enter the 
lists, with any prospect of success ; but Mr. Fenton entered the can- 
vass with his usual vigilance and laborious determination to succeed, 
with entire confidence that he should come out triumphant. After one 



94 

of the hardest contested battles ever fought iu the district, Mr. Fen- 
ton was declared elected with an official majority of 56 votes. 

With the career of Col. Fenton, iu the famous Thirty-third Congress, 
all are famihar. Elected as a Democrat, with known Free Soil tenden- 
cies, and equally well known Free Soil antecedents, he entered that 
Congress an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of the Administration of 
Franklin Pierce, under the solemn assurance from the National Con- 
vention of that party, that assembled at Baltimore in 1852, that the 
"subject of Slavery should not be agitated in Congress or out of Con- 
gress," and by the equally strong pledges of non-agitation by the Dem- 
ocratic party in Mr. Pierce's Inaugural Message. 

But he had not long held a seat in that body before it became appa- 
rent that a submission to new demands of the slave power, involving no 
less a sacrifice than the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, that an- 
cient and honorable barrier to the northwardly spread of African Sla- 
very, was to l^ecome a test of Democratic church-membership. The 
Nebraska BQl was very soon introduced into that Congress, and was at 
once adopted by the President, as a leading measure of his administra- 
tion ; and it was of course supported by all v/ho desired or expected to 
retain their position in the party. 

At this juncture, Col. Fenton, though enjoying to a flattering de- 
gree the confidence and esteem of the President and his Cabinet, broke 
away from his Ufe-long associations, and ardently espoused the cause of 
Freedom, which had been jeopardized by what he believed to be the 
unfaithful course of the administration. During the remainder of his 
term iu Congress with Senators Foote and Sewakd, Preston King, 
Charles Hughes, Daniel Mace, N. P. Banks, and many othei's, he 
became a leading spirit in the formation of the Ptepublican party. 

His untiring assiduities and attention to theu- wants, and the busi- 
ness intrusted to his care by his constituents, at once placed him in 
the front rank of the working members of that Congress. He received 
a place upon the Committee on Commerce, at that time second to no 
other, save perhaps the Committee of Ways and Means, in the impor- 
tance of its duties. His efficient labors on that Committee gave hun 
at once a prominent position before the country, and he received many 
well-deserved compliments for his tact and laborious attention to all the 
details of then* duties. 

This Committee reported the bills to the House of Representatives, 
which carried into successful operation the celebrated " Reciprocity 



95 

Treaty " with the Canadian Government, by which the area of free 
trade and commerce has been extended over nearly the entire North 
American Continent. Mr. Fexton was very successful in his efforts to 
procure the just demands of the ohl sokhers and their widows for pen- 
sions, bounty lands, &c. His speeches in Congress on the Nebraska 
Bill — in opposition to the bill of Mr. Olds, to change and increase the 
Rates of Postage— in favor of River and Harbor Improvements — and 
in favor of the bill to Extend Invalid Pensions, vfere all able efforts, 
and were almost universally endorsed by his constituents. His elo- 
quent and fearless speech against the Nebraska Bill, in which he had 
occasion to measure weapons with Gov. Smith, of Yirginia, was one 
of the first demonstrations that was made by a Northern Democrat 
against that measure. 

In the fall of 1854, a successor to Mr. Fexton was to be chosen; 
he had come to the conclusion only in a certain event, dependant upon 
the action of the Whig Congressional Convention, to become a candi- 
date for re-election. It was very uncertain who would receive the 
nomination of the Whig Convention. In the event of their nomina- 
tion of one who had Ijeen Mr. Fenton's most bitter opposer, and who 
was considered their strongest man, he had given his friends assurance 
that he would again enter the canvass and try titles with his rival. 
The action of the Democratic Convention was delayed for several weeks 
while the Whigs were deliberating upon a candidate. 

They at length succeeded in nominating Hon. G. W. Patterson, of 
Chautauque. The Democratic Convention then assembled and nomi- 
nated Col. Fextox by acclamation. This nomination he declined; his 
business, which had been neglected, demanded his personal attention; 
besides, the pohtics of the district was not then so much Whig and 
Democratic as it v.'as Nebraska and Anti-Nebraska, and the nomina- 
tion of ]\lr. Pattersox, a reliable Anti-Nebraska man, had removed 
the only inducement to Mr. Fentox to again enter a political canvass. 

The Democratic Convention then put in nomination Hon. W. P. 
AxGEL, of Ellicottville; thus the Anti-Nebraska party seemed sure of 
a member in any event. But it w-as during this campaign the wild 
storm of Americanism burst upon this section of the State, and swept 
with u-resistiV)le fury over this district. 

Before the election, it became apparent that this secret Order did 
not intend to support either of the then nominees for Congress, and it 
was also apparent that they held within their organization a majority 



96 

over either the Democratic or Whig parties. Two days before the 
election some of the leading friends of each of the nominees held a con- 
sultation, and came to the conclusion that their only hope of success 
against the war of Americanism that was sweeping past, lay in the 
withdrawal of both the Whig and Democratic candidates, and a union 
upon some new candidate. 

Mr. Fentox, at that late hour in the canvass, much against his 
judgment and advice, reluctantly consented to enter the fight as the 
" People's Candidate," against Hon. F. S. Edwards, who had been 
nominated in secret, by the Americans. There being but two nights 
and one day in which to work before election, and a cold drizzling rain 
setting in and continuing during the whole time, the people, being but 
half informed of the causes of the change of candidates, became confus- 
ed and suspicious, and went over by scores to the Americans ; the re- 
sult, as might have been expected, was disastrous, Mr. Edwards beat- 
ing him some fourteen hundred votes. 

But this defeat, instead of weakening his popularity with the masses, 
seemed only to strengthen him. He remained unscathed amid the 
seeming ruin. Though defeated by one of those uncontrollable and 
unaccountable risings of the masses that will at times sweep over a 
country controlled by the popular suffrages of the people, to redress 
real or imaginary wrongs — still, though he received the IjIow, it was 
evident it was not aimed at him, but the people of his district hastened 
with alacrity to bind up the wounds which they could not avoid in- 
flicting. 

Two years had not elapsed, ere it was evident that with singular 
unanimity the popular mind pointed to him as Mr. Edwards' successor. 
Mr. Fenton did not, as his enemies expected, sink under the blow, or 
curse the hand that dealt it. 

In the summer of 1856, the Presidential canvass opened with great 
bitterness and excitement. Col. Fenton had been a delegate to the 
National Pittsburgh Convention, that was presided over by Francis 
P. Blair, and was also a delegate to and member of the National Re- 
publican Convention, that assembled at Philadelphia, on the 11th of 
June in that year, and which put in nomination for the Presidency, 
Col. John C. Fremomt. 

He participated actively in that exciting and memorable contest. 
He was himself unanimously nominated in September by the Republi- 
can Congressional Convention. He was opposed again by Hon. F. S. 



97 

Edwards, as the American, and Hon. C. J. Allen, as the Democratic 
candidates for the same office. Never was a fiercer battle fought iu 
the old Thu-ty-third District. The canvass was exceedingly bitter and 
virulent on the part of the Americans; particularly against Mr. Fen- 
TO-V in Cliautauque County. But he came out of the canvass bearing 
upon his shoulders the unprecedented majority over Mr. Edwards of 
eight thousand six hundred and ten, and a majority over both compet- 
itors of over five thousand. 

During all these political conflicts, the fiercest and among the most 
memorable in the political history of the State, and the formation of 
new organizations, which resulted in the association together of those 
who had once been politically opposed — "the gain of enemies and the 
loss of friends'' — his feelings were never so embittered as to prevent 
those polite interchanges of gentlemanly intercourse and regard with 
the most bitter and virulent of his opponents; this, too, perhaps, when 
his presence to them was almost intolerable, while he, perfectly cogni- 
zant of this fact, could address them with the most affable smile, as if 
their mutual relations had never been distrusted or out of harmony. 

It requires no affectation on his part to thus deport himself; it is the 
impress of an open and frank disposition and a natural generosity of 
bearing; a consciousness of his own strength and the justice of the 
cause he espouses, and the rectitude of his acts. And while he is not 
averse to an honorable subjugation of his enemies or opponents, no one 
pei'haps is more magnanimous and generous iu his triumphs. 

As Mr. Fenton's political life has been by far the most eventful and 
stirring, we have dwelt at greater length upon that portion of his ca- 
reer. But neither the extensive business operations that have engaged 
his attention, or the exciting pohtical scenes through which he has 
passed, have precluded him from devoting a share of his thne to the 
more quiet and peaceful avocation of literary and agricultural research. 

The noble science of agriculture has engaged much of his time dur- 
ing the hours of relaxation from business, and those who have heard 
or read his agricultural addresses — finished literary productions — will 
not fail to perceive that this ennobling art has engrossed a due share of 
his attention and study. 

Of his benevolence as a private citizen, and his many acts of per- 
sonal and public liberality, we may with propriety pass over in silence; 
they will form a more fitting theme of comment and fiiture sketch 
when the subject of them shall have passed from active life. 
7 



98 

Col. Fenton is still in the prime of life and in the noon-tide of his 
usefulness. He has a fine figure, a commanding appearance ; as a pub- 
lic speaker he is fluent, extemporaneous, effective, and often eloquent; 
and were it not for the small compass of his voice, would always be 
listened to with riveted attention, whether addressing a select audience 
in the lecture room or the excited swaying masses of an out-door po- 
litical assembly. 

We know not that he has any aspirations for further political pre- 
ferment; but if he acts wisely, honestly, and fearlessly in the great 
struggles through which he is to pass in the present Congress, taking 
the dictates of conscience, the admonitions of enlightened humanity, 
and the demands of the mass of the people composing his constituency 
as his guide, we can but predict for him a more brilliant and exalted 
future than has been his past. 



CIVIL LIST OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 



Cattaraugus County was, by au Act of the Legislature of 
New York, passed March 11, 1803, taken from the territory of 
the then County of Genesee, and erected into an independent 
county, with its boundaries fixed as they exist at the present 
time; but its political organization was not effected until 
March 28, 1817. Prior to the latter date, the west part of the 
county was attached to Niagara, and the east part to Alle- 
gany County, for judicial purposes. 

Hon. Timothy H. Porter, First Judge, and Hon's Francis 
Green, Ashbel Freeman, James Brooks, and William Price, 
Associate Judges, constituted the " Court of Common Pleas and 
General Sessions of the Peace," for the County of Cattaraugus. 
The first Court was held in Clean, in July, 1817, in pursuance 
of the following order : 

Whereas, an Act of the Legislature of the State of New 
York, for organizing the County of Cattaraugus, passed March 
2Sth, 1817, has made it a duty of the Judges for the time being 
to appoint a place for holding the Courts of Common Pleas 
and General Sessions of the Peace, in and for said county: 

Therefore, we, Francis Green, Ashbel Freeman, and 
James Brooks, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and 
for the county aforesaid, convened at the house of William 
Baker, in the town of Glean, in the county aforesaid, have 



100 



(conformably to the Act above mentioned) appointed, and by 
these presents do appoint and declare, the house of William 
Baker, in the said town of Olean, in the county aforesaid, to 
be the place for holding the first Court of Common Pleas and 
General Sessions of the Peace, in and for the County of Cat- 
taraugus. 

In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 
5th day of June, 1817. 

(Signed,) Francis Green, 

AsHBEL Freeman, 
James Brooks. 

Israel Curtis was the first Sherifi", with Benjamin Cham- 
berlain for his Deputy; Sands Bouton, County Clerk; Jer- 
emy WoosTER, Surrogate; and Sylvenus Russell, County 
Treasurer. 

The first deed was recorded on the 3d day of July, 1817, 
which was a Sheriff's deed, from the Sheriff of Allegany Coun- 
ty, to Benjamin Chamberlain. 

The offices of first First Judge, 1817 — first State Senator, 
1823 — first District Attorney, 1824 — and the first Member op 
Congress, 1825-27, selected from Cattaraugus County, were 
successively held by the late Hon. Timothy H. Porter, of 
Olean, who had previously, in 1816 and 1817, represented the 
Counties of Allegany and Steuben, and subsequently, in 1838 
and 1840, this county in the State Assembly; all of which 
honorable positions were filled with ability and to the public 
acceptance; and it is a matter of public regret that no portrait 
exists of that distinguished man, who was so largely connected 
with the early history of the county. 

" The Courts were first held in Ellicottville, in July, 1818, 
at the house of Baker Leonard; that house and the Holland 
Land Company's Office were all the dwellings then erected in 
that place. A Court House and Jail, in one building, was built 
soon after; this burnt down in the winter of 1829, and the pres- 
ent Court House and Jail were built the same year." — Judge 
Martin. 



101 



FIRST JUDGES— COUNTY COURTS. 

Timothy H. Porter,. . .March, 28, 1817. I Benjamin Chamberlain, .P\-b. 15, 1833. 

James Aditins, June 1, 1820. Ren.sselaer Lamb, elected June, 1847. 

Alson Leavenworth,. .. .Jan. 25,1823. | Chester Howe, " Nov. 1851. 

Nelson Cobb, elected Nov. 1855. 



ASSOCIATE JUDGES— COUNTY COURTS. 

(The dates are when the officers qualified.) 



Francis Green, May 5, 1817. 

Ashbel Freeman, " " 

JamesBroolis " " 

William Price, " " 

James Brooks, July 7, 1818. 

James Adkins Feb. 28,1820. 

James Brooks, " " 

Israel Curtis, " •' 

Daniel Allen •' " 

Ira Norton July 25, 1820. 

William Kimball, '• 28,1820. 

Royal Teft't August 1, 1820. 

Daniel Allen, Sept. 16, 1820. 

Israel Curtis, March 3, 1821. 

Thomas Morris " 5, " 

Alson Leavenworth, ... '" 12, " 

James Green, " 28, " 

Lewis P. Thorp,. . 



Griswold D. Warner. . . .Feb. 18, 1823 
Benjamin Chamberlain,. " " 

Phineas Spencer " " 

Peter Ten Broeck, "• 

Daniel Allen Feb. 28, 

Henry Day, June 17, 

Andrew Mead, March 18, 

Daniel Allen, March 8, 

Thomas J. Wheeler, .... " 

Israel Day, March 11, 

Richard Wrisrht '* 23, 

Peter Ten Broeck, " 14, 

Thos. J. Wheeler, '• 19, 

Isaac Hull, " 24. 

Fred. S. Martin, Jan. 27, 

Ashbel H. Hurd, Feb. 27, 

Thos. J. Wheeler, 

.January 29, 1846. 



1828. 
1828. 
1831. 
1833. 

1834. 
1836. 
1838. 



1840. 
1843. 



The office was changed to two Justices' Sessions, 1847, and elected annually, 



SURROGATES. 

In 1847 the office of Surrogate was merged in that of County Judge; but was 
again created a distinct office in April, 1857. 

Jeremy Wooster, March 28, 1817. I Moses Beecher April 16, 1830. 

Walter Wood June 1, 1820. R.H.Shankland,Feb. 9,'38 to June,'47. 

Jeremy Wooster, Feb. 12, 1821. | Allen D.Scott, April, 1857. 



SHERIFFS. 



Israel Curtis, Ap'd March 28, 1817. 

Benj Chamberlain, " Feb. 17, 1820. 
Jacob Downing. . . " June 1. 1820. 
Benj. Chamberlain, '• Feb. 12, 1821. 
Ebenezer Lockwood,. . .Elected, 1822. 

Benj. Chamberlain, '■ 1825. 

Henry Saxton " 1828. 

Henry Wooster,*. .Ap'd Jan. 19, 1831. 

John Hurlburt,t.. . " Oct. 20, 1831. 

Addison Crowley,. 



Samuel Barrows Elected 1831. 

AbramSearle " 1834. 

Richard Wright, " 1837. 

AbramSearle " 1840. 

George W. White " 1843. 

John Palmer. J . . . . Ap'd Oct. 1 0, 1846. 

Alonzo A. Gregory, Elected 1846. 

Addison Crowley " 1849. 

I Alonzo A. Gregory, " 1852. 

Elected 1855. 



* In place of Saxton, resigned, f In place of Wooster, deceased. X I"^ place of White, deceased. 



102 



COUNTY CLERKS. 



Sands Bouton,.. .Ap'd March 28, 1817. 
Ebenezer Lockwood, Ap'd June 1, 1820. 
Joseph McClure. ... " Feb. 12, 1821. 

David Goodwin " Mar. 6, 1822. 

Sands Bouton, Elected 1822. 

Henry Wooster, " 1824. 



John TV. Staunton, Elected 1825. 



Francis E. Baillet, . . 
George W.Gillett,.. 
Francis E. Baillet,. . 
James G. Johnson,. . 
Enos H. Southwick,. 



Thomas Morris,- Elected 1855. 



1837 
1840. 
1843. 
1849. 
1852. 



COUNTY TREASURERS. 



Sylvenus Russell March 28, IJ'IT. 

Daniel Hodges 

Staley N. Clarke, 1824 to 1841. 

Marcus H. Johnson, Elected 1841. 



Truman R. Colman, . . 

Daniel I. Huntley 

Charles P. Washburn,. . 
John P. Darling,, 



.Elected 1844. 
. " 1847. 
. " 1848. 
, . " 1851. 



Stephen McCoy, Elected 1854. 



DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. 

(The dates are when qualified.) 

Timothy H. Porter, June 16, 1824. I Daniel Reed Wheeler,. . .Feb. 5, 1841. 

John A. Bryan, June 19. 1827. Wm. Pitt Angel, Feb. 7, 1844. 

Anson Gibbs, Oct. 13, 1829. William H. Wood Dec. 23, 1850. 

James Burt, Oct. 10. 1834. I Alexander Sheldon, Nov. 29, 1853. 

Wm. Pitt Angel, Jan. 3, 1857. 



LOAN COMMISSIONERS. 



Eleazer Harmon, 1838. 

Peter Ten Broeck, " 

Moses Beecher, 1840. 

Alson Leavenworth " 

Bethuel McCoy, 1843. 

David Day " 

David Day, 1845. 

Ashbel Busbnell, " 

C. V. B. Barse, 1848. 

Joseph E. Weeden, " 



C.V.B. Barse, 1850. 

Byron Graham, " 

Byron Graham, 1853. 

Richard L. Cary, " 

Byron Graham, 1855. 

Charles M. Beecher, '• 

Byron Graham, 1856. 

Moses Beecher, " 

Moses Beecher, 1857. 

Ashbel Bushnell, •' 



DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 

CONVENTION OF 1821. 

Cattaraugus, Chautauqde, Erie, and Niagara: 

Augustus Porter, Samuel Russel. 



CONVENTION OF 1846. 

Cattaraugus Countt: 

1st district, Alonzo Hawley. 2d district, George A. S. Crocker. 



103 



MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 

(Those living ia Cattaraugus County only, are given.) 

19th Congress, 1825-1827, Timothy H. Porter, Olean. 

27th " 1841-1843 Staley N. Clarke, Ellicottville. 

28th " 1843-1845, Asher Tyler, 

32d " 1851-1853, Frederick S. Martin, Olean. 



STATE SENATORS. 

(Those living in Cattaraugus County only, are given.) 

Timothy H. Porter, Olean, (old 8th district,) 1823, one year by lot. 

Timothy H. Porter, " " 1828, '29, '30, "31. 

Ch^LnncQj }.¥ ox. Ellicottville, " 1835, to fill vacancy. 

Chauncey J. Fox, " " 1836, '37, '38, '3!). 

Thomas J. Wheeler, Connewango, (6th district,) 184G-1847. 

Frederick S. Martin, Olean , (32nd district,) 1848-1849. 

Robert Owen, Jr., jRa?i(/o//>/(, " 1850-1851. 

Roderick White, Olean, " 1856". Died in office. 

John P. Darling, ^Vfjc ^/6io/j, " 1857, vice White. 



MEMBERS OP ASSEMBLY. 



Joseph McClure, 1814-'15. 

Stephen Crosby,* 1823. 

Phineas Spencer, 1824. 

Daniel Hodges 1825. 

James McGlashen, ] 826. 

John A. Bryan, 1827. 

James McGlashen, 1828. 

Flavil Partridge, 1829. 

Stephen Crosby, 1830. 

Russel Hubbard, 1831. 

George A. S. Crooker, 1832. 

Chauncey J. Fox 1833. 

Chauncey J. Fox 1834. 

Albert G. Burke 1835. 

David Day, 1836. 

Tilly Gilbert, Phineas Spencer,. .1837. 

Nelson Green, T. H. Porter 1838. 

G. A. S. Crooker, Hollis Scott,.. .1839. 

*The first member elected 



T. H. Porter. G. A. S. Crooker,. .1840. 
Alonzo Hawley, Chester Howe,. .1841. 
Samuel Barrows, Lewis P. Thorp,.1842. 
Alonzo Hawley, Elijah A. Rice... 1843. 
James Burt, Marcus H. Johnson,. 1844. 

Roderick White, Seth Field 1845. 

Gideon Searle, E. A. Rice, 1846. 

Rufus Crowley, Jos. E. Weeden, 1847. 
Jas. G. Johnson, M. H. Johnson.. 1848. 
S. R. Crittendon. H. C. Young:,. .1849. 
Fred. S. Martin, H. C. Young,. . .1850, 
A. A. Gregory, Wm. J. Nelson,. .1851. 

S. S. Cole, Alex. Sheldon, 1852. 

Daniel Hickox, M. H. Barker,. . .1853. 
Wm. H. Wood, Jas. Kirkland,. . . 1854. 

Alex. Storrs, Jas. Kirkland, 1855. 

L. D. Cobb, Daniel Bucklln, 1856. 

Alanson King, Rufus Crowley,.. .1857. 
from Ciittaraugus alone. 



PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

(Those residing in this County only, are given.) 

1824, Timothy H. Porter, Elected, but did not attend. 

1836, Thomas J. Wheeler, Connewango. 

1844, Robert H. Shankland, Ellicottville. 

1848, Delos E. Sill, " 

1852, Benjamin Chamberlain, Randolph. 

1856, Delos K Sill, Ellicottville. 



GOVERNORS OF NEW YORK. 



The Executiye power in New York, while a colony, was 
rested in a Governor and council of twelve members, appoint- 
ed at will, by the king, who issued instructions for their guid- 
ance, extended to every common contingency, changeable at 
the royal pleasure, but seldom materially altered. 

At the beginning of the Revolution, the salary of the Gov- 
ernor was £1,500 currency, and perquisites amounting to as 
much more.* 

From 1717 to 1822 the Governor was elected triennially. 
He was a member of the council of revision and president of 
the council of appointment. Under the late and present Con- 
stitution the Governor is elected biennially. He is command- 
er-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the State; may 
convene the Legislature, or Senate only, on emergencies,' and 
possesses the pardoning power.' 

His qualifications and general duties are defined by the Con- 
stitution," and he receives a salary of $4,000 per annum. 

He recommends to the Senate the appointment of officers 
hereinafter mentioned, and appoints commissioners of deeds in 

1 Smith's History of New York, Historical Society's edition, volume 1, page 361. 
3 Until 1821 the Governor might prorogue the Legislature from time to time, not exceeding 
sixty days in a year. 

3 Under the first Constitution, this extended, in cases of murder and treason, to a respite until 
the next session of the Legislature only, when the latter might pardon, commute, or direct the 
execution of sentence. In treason and cases of impeachment, he is still thus limited. 

4 Article 4, sections 1 to 5. 



105 



other states, notaries public, and such other officers as are from 
time to time directed by special Acts; he fills most of the va- 
cancies occurring in office (excepting assemblymen, state sena- 
tors and congressmen,) until a regular election or appointment 
can be made, and -may remove, under limitations prescribed 
by statute,^ most State and County officers." 

He communicates to the Legislature at the beginning of 
each session, and from time to time by message, a statement of 
the financial condition of the State, and recommends such 
measures as he may deem expedient. He is charged with the 
general execution of the laws, and may adopt such measures 
for enforcing them as emergencies may warrant. In case of 
vacancy his place is filled by the lieutenant-governor, or the 
president of the senate. 

The term of office of the Governor, and of all other officers 
not expressly excepted by law, begins with the civil year next 
after their election. 

The civil and political year formerly commenced on the first 
day of July," but is now defined by the Constitution to begin 
on the first day of January." 

COLONIAL GOVERNORS. 

Names. Administration began. 

Peter Miauit, Dutch, May 4, 1626. 

Wouter Van Twiller, " April 1633. 

Willem Kieft, •' March 28,1638. 

Peter Stuyvesant, " May 11, 1647. 

Richard NicoUs, English, September 8, 1664. 

Col. Francis Lovelace, '• May 23, 1667. 

Capt. Anthony Colve, Dutch, Aug. (n. s.) 12, 1673. 

Sir Edmond Andros, Knight, English, November 10, 1674. 

Anthony Brockhol.st,'^ " January 13, 1681. 

Col. Thomas Dongau,^ " August 27,1682. 

Sir Edmund Andross, " July 28,1688. 

Francis Nicholson,'' " October 9, 1688. 

1 Revised Statutes, part 1. chapter 6, title 6. 

2 In 1846 there were 289 offices filled by appointment of the Governor. 

3 Act for regulating elections, passed February 13, 1787. 

< Constitution 1821, article 1, section 13; do. 1846, article 10, section 6. 
•■i President of the council, acting as Governor. 

6 Dongan was removed April 22, 1688, (o. s.), and New York was united with New England 
under the same Governor. 
' Lieutenant-Governor 



106 



Names. 

Jacob Leisler/ English, 

Col. Henry Sloughter, •' 

Major Richard Ingoldesby,2 " 

Col. Benjamin Fletcher, •• 

Richard Coote, Earl of Eellamont," 

John Nanfan,'' " 

Edward Hyde, Lord Viscount Cornbury, " 

John, Lord Lovelace, " 

Richard Ingoldesby,* " 

Gerardus Beeckman,^ •' 

Brigadier Robert Hunter, " 

Peter Schuyler,^ " 

William Burnet, " 

John Montgomerie, '• 

Rip Van Dam,' '• 

William Crosby, " 

George Clarke,"- ^ 

Admiral George Clinton, " 

Sir Danvers Osborn, Baronet,* " 

James De Lancey,* " 

Sir Charles Hardy, Knight,. " 

James De Lancey,* " 

Cadwallader Golden,-' " " 

Gen. Robert Monckton, " 

Cadwallader Golden,^ '• 

Gen. Robert Monckton 

Cadwallader Colden,-* •' 

Sir Henry Moore, Bai'onet, " 

Cadwallader Colden,'' '■ 

John, Earl of Dunmore, " 

William Tryon, " 

Cadwallader Golden,* " 

William Tryon, " 

James Robertson," " 

Andrew Elliot.-'. >* " 



Administration beg! 


m. 


June 


3, 


1689. 


March 


19, 


1691. 


July 


23, 


1691. 


August 


29, 


1692. 


August 


2. 


1698. 


May 


19, 


170L 


May 


3, 


1702. 


December 


18, 


1708. 


May 


5, 


1709. 


April 


10, 


1710. 


June 


14, 


1710. 


July 


31, 


1719. 


September 


17, 


1720. 


April 


15, 


1728. 


July 


1, 


173L 


August 


1, 


1732. 


March 


30, 


1736. 


September 


22, 


1743. 


October 


10, 


1753. 


October 


12, 


1753. 


September 


3, 


1755. 


July 


3, 


1757. 


July 


30, 


1759. 


October 


26. 


1761. 


November 


15, 


176L 


June 


12, 


1762. 


September 


14, 


1763. 


November 


13, 


1765. 


September 


12, 


1769. 


October 


19, 


1770. 


July 


9, 


1771. 


April 


7, 


1774. 


June 


28, 


1775. 


March 


23, 


1780. 


April 


15, 


1783. 



1 Assumed the title of lAeutenant-Governor; was executed for high treason, May 16, IfiOl. 

2 President of the Council, acting as Governor. 

3 Died March 5, 1701; Col. William Smith, senior member of the Council, claimed the Gover- 
nor's chair, but the government was administered by the Council until May 19, 1701. 

* Lieutenant-Governor. 

s Commissioned as Lieutenant-Governor, October 30, 1736. 

6 Committed suicide, October 12, 1753. 

T Commissioned as Lieutenant-Governor, October 26, 1761. 

8 British military Governors, not recognized by the State. 



107 

GOVERNORS OF THE STATE. 



Elected. 



1777.. 
1780,. 
1783,. 
1786,. 
1789,. 
1792,. 
1795,. 
1798,. 
1801,. 
1804,. 
1807,. 
1810,. 
1813,. 
1816.. 
1817,. 
1820,. 
1822.. 
1824,. 
1826,. 

1828,. 

1830,. 

1832.. 
1834,. 

1836,. 

1838,. 
1840,. 

1842,. 

1844,. 

1846,. 



1848,. 

1850,. 
1852,. 

1854,. 

1856,. 



George Cliuton,i 

George Clinton,' .. . . 

George Clinton,! 

■George Clinton,'. . . . 

George Clinton, 

George Clinton,-. . . . 

John Jay, 

John Jay, 

George Clinton. 

Morgan Lewis, 

Daniel D. Tompkins,. 
Daniel D. Tompkins,. 
Daniel D. Tompkins,. 
Daniel D. Tompkins,^ 

De Witt Clinton, 

De Witt Clintonj 

Joseph C. Yates, 

De Witt Clinton, 

De Witt Clinton,-'.... 

Martin Van Buren,^. . 



Enos T. Throop, . . . 

William L. Marcy,. 
William L. Marcv. . 



William L. Marcy,. . 
William H. Seward,. 
William H. Seward,. 



Votes. 



Opposing Candidatea. 



0.391'Robert Yates, 

8,440 John Jay, , 

1 3,48 li Robert Yates, 

16,012!Robert R. Livingston,. . . 

24,808|Stephen Van Rensselaer. 

30,829| Aaron Burr 

35,074!Morgan Lewis, 

43,094j Jonas Piatt. 

43,324:Stephen Van Rensselaer,. 

45.412!Rulus King 

43.310|Peter B. Porter, 

47,447;Daniel D. Tompkins , 

128,493 Solomon Southwick,! 

103.452 

99,785 

136.794 



128,842 

166,410 
181.905 

166,122 

192,882 

222,011 



William C. Bouck. |208,072 

i 
Silas Wright j241,090 



John Young, |198,878 



Hamilton Fish, 



Washington Hunt,. 
Horatio Seymour,. 



Myron H. Clark, 
John A. King,. . 



218,776 

214,614 
264,121 

156,804 

264,400 



Samuel Young 

William B. Rochester,, . 

Smith Thompson,. . . . 

Solomon Southwick,.. 

Francis Granger,. . . . 

Ezekiel Williams,.. . . 

Francis Granger, 

Wm. H. Seward, 

j Jesse Buel, 

") Isaac S. Smith, 

William L. Marcy, 

William C. Bouck,... 

Gerrit Smith 

Luther Bradish, 

Alvan Stewart, 

Millard Fillmore,. . . . 
i Alvan Stewart, 

Silas Wright, 

} Henry Bradley 

( Ogden Edwards, 

John A. Dix 

} Reuben H. Walworth, 
( William Goodell,. . . . 

Horatio Seymour, 

( Washington Hunt.. . , 
I Minthorne Tompkins,. 

i Horatio Seymour, 

} Daniel Ullman, 

( Greene C. Bronson,. . 
j Amassa J. Parker,. . . 
1 Erastus Brooks, 



5,962 

8,332 

11,892 

13,632 

20,843 

22,139 

30,989 

36,484 

39.718 

38,647 

1,479 

45,990 

2,910 

87,093 

96,135 

106,444 

33,345 

120,361 

2,332 

156,672 

168,969 

136,648 

3,496 

182,461 

216,808 

2,662 

186.091 

7.263 

231,057 

15,136 

187.306 

12,844 

6,305 

122,811 

116,811 

1,593 

214,352 

239,736 

19,299 

156,495 

122,282 

33,850 

198,616 

130,870 



1 No record of the votes at these elections exists in the Secretary's office; they were taken 
viva voce, and were nearly unanimous. 

2 The votes of Clinton, Otsefjo, and Tioga Counties were not canvassed, llie reason of this is 
recorded in the Secretary's office, Deeds, xxiv., p. 249. 

3 John Tayler acted as Governor from February — to July 1, 1S17. 

■" Nathaniel I'itcher acted as Governor from the death of Clinton, February 11, 1828, until the 
expiration of the term. 
6 Resigned March 12, 1829. Enos T. Throop acted as Governor till the expiration of the term. 



108 

Of the Governors of this State, Martin Van Buren has been 
President of the United States; George Clinton, Daniel D. 
Tompkins, and Martin Van Buren have been Vice-Presidents; 
De Witt Clinton, Martin Van Buren, William L. Marcy, Wil- 
liam H. Seward, and Hamilton Fish have been United States 
Senators. 



109 



Towns, their Post Offices, Statistics, aud Adverlisemeuts. 
O L E A N, 

The first town orgauized in the county, was incorporated 
March 11, 1808, the date of the Act erecting the county, and 
embraced the entire territory of the county. In 1855 Olean 
contained 1,611 inhabitants, with 307 native and 21 natural- 
ized voteiis; had 280 cows, from which were made 5,310 pounds 
of butter and 560 pounds of cheese; contains 21,847 acres of 
land, of the assessed value of $282,464. Taxes in 1856, 
$1,688.53. 

The Olean Academy, an excellent institution, is located in 
the village of Olean; and the Olean Advertiser newspaper 
is published there. 



OLEAN BUSINESS CARDS. 






AT ZiAW, 

Will give prompt attention to all 
PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS 

THAT MAY BE INTRUSTED TO HIS CARE. 



R. L. PAGE, 



Rev. ISAAC G. OGDEN, A.M., 

PRINCIPAL. 



Mrs. I. G. OGDEN, 

PRECEPTRESS. 

This Academy is now in successful 

operation. 

F. S. MARTIN, Pres't. 

L. Whitxet, Sec^y. 



ABRAM MERRITT, 



AND DEALER IN 
WILL ALSO KEEP FOR SALE 

TAILORS' CHALKS, 

TAPES, SOIIAHES, &£. 

GLEAN, N. y. 



AXD WHOLESALE AXD RETAIL DE-iLER I.V 

FLOUR, GRAIN, 

PORK, SALT, FISH, OILS, &c, &c., 

CANAL BASIF, OLEAN, N. Y. 



110 



. A. BLAKESLEE, 



DEALER IN 



im^St 



(M 




B, lamfe, 



OILS, DYE-STUFFS, 




^ ^"^J^J^SS^^ 






PBRPUMBRT, 



m IJ 



A.ETICLES, &c, 



OLEAN, N. Y. 



Ill 



STONE, &ENTHNEE & CO., 

OLEAN, N. Y., 

MANUFACTURERS OP 




AND DEALERS IN 



9 A AJLA*.JWf N*, 

J%*ear the •lllegauy Miver 



E. G. & F. EATON, 

DKALERS IN 

WATSMiS, 

FINE JEWELRY, SILVER SPOONS, 
FANCY GOODS, 

€M$ anb ^Mik^ Classes, 

CLEAN, N. Y. 

Gold Pat. Levers, hunting cases $70 to $130 

GoldDet. " •' .... 45 to 75 

" '' open face 30 to 35 

Gold Cylinder Esc. " 28 to 35 

Silver Duplex, hunting cases 30 to S5 

" " open face 25 to 30 

" lev. full jew'd hunting cases.. 35 to 60 

" detached levers, hunting 16 to 20 

" Cylinder escapements, hunt'g.. 11 to 12 
" " open face 8 

" Open face Patent Levers 15 to 25 

Call and examine our stocli before you pur- 
chase. 

jOg?- Repairing of Watches and Cloeks done 
tn good style and warranted. 



ffHY BIT M BilESS IP? 

The Subscriber has just brought into 

O L E ^IST, 

THE LARGEST STOCK OF 

MEN'S AND BOYS' 

ever before offered in Olcan. Our Store i3 
filled with Goods from floor to ceiling, 
where you will find wagon loads of COATS, 
cords of PANTS, piles of VESTS, heaps of 
OVERALLS and OVERSHIRTS, and Car 
loads of other fixings; and in short, every- 
thing in our line to clothe a boy of 15 
years to a man of 100, and at such prices 
as DEFY COMPETITION. I wish it dis- 
tinctly understood, 

I AM NOT TO BE UNDERSOLD, 
by any man, or combination of men. 

jeS" No charge for Showing Goods. 

I also keep a fine Stock of Cloths in the 
Merchant Tailor's Line. 

Custom work made to order in the best 
and lates styles. 
Jd®" Remember, at Miluer's old stand."^3a 

HENRY ERIEIID, Proprietor. 



112 
THE GREAT SOUTHERN TIER 

HARDWARE STORE ! 

STOVES, TIN AND HARDW^ARE!! 

The undersigned desires to call attention to his extensive and well-selected 
assortment of Hardware, which is now open for the inspection of the public, 
and will be sold at a low figure. 

THE STOVE DEPARTMENT 

Consists of cook, parlor, hall, box, coal, new Eagle hot air. elevated cook, 
Prairie Flower, May Queen, Premium, and many others. In this Department 
the most fastidious cannot fail of finding something to their tastes. New vari- 
eties will be frequently received. 

IN THE HARDWARE BUREAU 

May be found round, flat, square and half round iron, &c.; Mill, X cut, hand 
and circular saws; log, trace, binding, cable and halter chains. 

THE CARPENTERS' QUARTER 

Is literally filled with a general assortment of augers and auger bits; planes 
and plane irons; firmer and socket chisels; gouges and turning gouges and 
chisels; brace and bits; marking and mortice gauges; bevels; try-squares; lev- 
els; broad and hand axes; adz; brad awls; nail hammers; chisel, auger, saw 
and plane handles, etc., etc. 

IN THE BLACKSMITHS' STALL, 

In addition to the tons of iron briefly described above, the sons of Vulcan 
can find bellows, vices, (metallic vices,) sledge and hand hammers, stocks and 
dies. 

HOUSE TRIMMINGS, 

Consisting of door handles, rim and mortice locks, rim and mortice latches, 
mineral and argile door knobs, ward-robe hooks, hat and coat hooks, blind 
hinges, wrought and cast buts. broad and narrow glass, sasb. &c., &c. 

IN THE MISCELLANEOUS CABOOSE 

Will be found spring steel, steel springs, hay, manure and straw fork.s, spades, 
hoes, garden rakes, shovels, scoop shovels, scythes, fire shovels and tongs, pocket 
and table cutlery, silver plated, german silver, tin and iron spoons, table and 
butchers' steels, butcher knives, shoe knives, brick and plastering trowels, scrub- 
bing, shoe and varnish brushes, chain and cast iron pumps, tin and lead pipe for 
wells and cisterns; 20,000 rods half inch lead pipe for carrying water. 

IN THE DOMESTIC CORNER 

You will be apt to see about the largest lot of plain and japaned tin ware 
ever brought into Olean, which will be sold at wholesale and retail very cheap. 
Britannia tea pots, candlesticks, lamps for oil and burning fluid, brass pails, 
kettles, etc. Tin ware, gutter, conductor, etc. 

JOBBING DONE TO ORDER. 

Having one of the best workmen in the county, every person wishing jobs 
done can be accommodated co inatanti. 

C. V. B. BARSE. 

OUan, New York, 185t. 



113 

STANLEY lARTTN & CO. 

ARE CONSTANTLY RECEIVING 

ASFOLLOWS: ^ 

SILKSj SHAWLS AND MANTILLAS!! 
Bonnets, Ribbons and Millinery Goods, 

EMBROIDERIES AND DRESS TRIMMINGS, 

UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS, 

SUMMER DRESS GOODS, WHITE GOODS, 

BOOTS AND SHOES, 

As i^ood and complete an assortment as can be found, and at prices that will 
suit all. 

Cloths, Satinets, Cassimeres, Kentucky Jeans, Plain and 

Fancy Linens, Summer Cloths, Tickings, Denims, 

Stripe Shirtings, &c., by the Cord. 

TEA. — 50 Cans of that splendid Gunpowder Tea just received. 

We will not attempt to enumerate all our large and varied stock, but would 
respectfully solicit those wishing to buy Goods Cheap to give us a call, where 
great bargains are always awaiting the people of OLEAN and vicinity. 



FRANKLINVILLE, 

The second town organized in the county, was erected from 
Glean, June 16, 1812, by the name of Ischua, and changed to 
its present name March 3, 1824. In 1855 it contained 1,686 
inhabitants, with 357 native and 49 naturalized voters; had 
889 cows, from which were made 77,270 pounds of butter and 
78,710 pounds of cheese; contains 31,804 acres of land, of the 
assessed value of $353,395. Taxes in 1856, $2,147.58. 

Post Offices — Franklinville and Cadiz. 



PERRYSBURGH, 

The third town organized in the county, was erected from 

Glean and Franklinville, April 13, 1814, by the name o^ Perry, 

and changed to its present name April 10, 1818. In 1855 it 

contained 1,456 inhabitants, with 330 native and 2 naturalized 

8 



114 



voters; had 1,234 cows, from which were made 91,890 pounds 
of butter and 143,994 pounds of cheese; contains 18,320 acres 
of land, of the assessed value of $450,207. Taxes in 1856, 
$2,016.39. 

Post Offices — Perrysburgh and Versailles. 




L. E. LOCKLINa, 

MANUFACTURER OF 

FOR GREEiN SWARD, SIIE-HILL, CORN AND STUBBIE WORK. 

THESE PLOWS ARE MADE OF 

The Best Materials, and of Superior Finish, 

And have earned the reputation at County Fairs and among Farmers 

as the 

BEST PLOW MADE IN WESTERN NEW YOEK. 

Also, on hand, or made to order, 
GRAIN AND CORN CULTIVATORS, &c., &c. 



LITTLE VALLEY, 

The fourth town organized in the county, was erected from 
Perrysburgh, April 10, 1818. In 1855 it contained 801 inhab- 
itants, with 160 native and 18 naturalized voters; had 370 
cows, from which were made 39,135 pounds of butter and 
16,060 pounds of cheese; contains 19,517 acres of land, of the 
assessed value of |215,482. Taxes in 1856, $1,944.47. 

Post Office — Little Valley. 

"ROCK CITY." 

One of the great natural wonders of the American Continent, which 
is yet to become a resort for thousands now ignorant of its grandeur, 



115 

is situated in the wilderness, on lot 77, in the town of Little Valley, 
about four miles from that Station, on the New York and Erie Rail- 
road. Rock City is upon the top of a hill, about 400 feet above the 
bed of the New York and Erie Railroad, and 2,000 feet above tide 
water; yet so easy and regular is the grade on the Little Valley side 
of the hill, a good carriage road to the " city entrance" could be con- 
structed for $200. Visitors can now ride in carriages to within one 
mile of the city. 

At the " city entrance" you pass down an inclined plane, about four 
feet wide, two rods long, and ten feet descent, into the open court, or 
" public square," as it is called, where is a circular flatstoue, twenty feet 
in diameter, elevated about four feet above the ground, upon which 
l^arties usually partake lunch when visiting the city. From this point 
streets, lanes and alleys, in innumerable numbers and directions, wind 
their devious ways over an hundred acres. One who was ever in the 
City of Boston, starting in Dock Square, and going through its crooked 
streets, upon visiting " Rock City" cannot but be forcibly reminded 
of the strong resemblance between the irregular streets and huge stone 
blocks of the latter " City" and the " City of Notions." 

Hall's Geology of New York says: "The blocks (of sandstone and 
conglomerate) are widely scattered along the margin of the hill, and 
as we approach the undisturbed parts of the rock, they become more 
numerous, and soon assume a regularity in arrangement which shows 
them to remain neai'ly in their original relative position, except that 
the joints are widened by the undermining of the rocks below, and 
partly, perhaps, by the destruction of the rock itself. The whole pre- 
sents an appearance like a cliflf of harder rock resting on a more de- 
structible one below, which has been exposed to the waves of the sea 
or large lakes. In some places, where the blocks are otherwise closely 
arranged, there are large spaces where the masses have been removed 
or disintegrated, presenting a fancied resemblance to court-yards or 
squares, in the midst of the numerous streets and alleys. The whole 
area occupied by the rock at this place is estimated at an hundred 
acres. The large trees which stand upon the top of the iuniieuse 
blocks at this place, have often sent their roots down the sides, where 
they are sustained in the deep soil, supporting the huge growth above 
upon an almost barren rock. The masses ofier fine exhibitions of the 
diagonal lamination and contorted seems of iron ore. The rectangular 
blocks (composQd of pure white pebbles couglutiiiated) arc from thirty 



116 



to thirty-five in thickness, and, standing regularly arranged along the 
line of outcrop, present an imposing appearance, and justify the appli- 
cation of the name it has received." 



LITTLE VALLEY BUSINESS CARDS. 



C. M. G. CHASE, 



DEALER IX 



READY-MADE CI.OTHXSfa, 

GROCERIES, CROCKERY AND HARBV/ARE, 

AI^© YANKEE IVOTIOI^S; 

And keeps fresh supplies of the Latest Styles 

LADIES' DRESS GOODS, 

BONNETS, RIBBONS, EMBROIDERIES, LACES, &C. &C.. 

Which will be sold for Cash, as cheap as can be purchased in the 
County. 



J. S. BSERS, 

LITTLE VALLEY, N. Y., 

DEALER IN 

CLOCKS, WATCHES, 

GUNS, PISTOLS, &c., &c. 
GOLD AKD SILVER PLATING 

EXECUTED TO ORDER. 



THOMAS HELLER, 

LITTLE VALLEY, N. Y., 

MANUFACTURER OF 

T "' 

AXD DEALER IN 

I OF ALL THE VARIOUS STYLES. 




GREAT VALLEY, 

The fifth town organized in the county, was erected from 
Olean, April 15, 1818. In 1855 it contained 1,198 inhabi- 



117 

tants, with 226 native and 30 naturalized voters; had 388 
cows, from which were made 34,684 pounds of butter and 240 
pounds of cheese; contains 33,715 acres of land, of the assessed 
value of $238,561. Taxes in 1856, $2,048.92. 
Post Offices — Great Valley and Klllbuck. 



GREAT VALLEY NURSERY!!! 

B. T. KELSEY 8c CO., Proprietors, 

Keep on hand a general dssorlment of 

Fruit and Ornaiiieiital Trees and Shrubs. 

We are also extensively engaged in the cultivation of 



DECIDUOUS FOKEST TREES, 

For other Nurserymen and Planters; all of which will be sold very 

cheap, at 

Our Wholesale Catalogues will be sent gratis to all applicants. 
Letters, asking further information, promptly answered. 
Post Office address, 

S. T. KELSEY «& CO., 

Great J^alley, JT. T. 

Note. — Mr. Kelsey exhibited a fine assortment of Evukgkeens at the Catta- 
raugus Co. Fair, 1857, which attracted much attention from visitors, and were 
highly commended by the judges. To people residing in this and adjoining 
counties, we cannot too strongly urge the merits of trees from this nursery ovtr 
any foreign ones. The fact that thousands of dead trees have been imposed vp- 
onthe citizens of this County, from the latter nurseries, forcibly suggests "buy 
your trees alive, and of honorable dealers!" 

ELLICOTTVILLE, 

(the county seat,) 
The sixth town organized in the county, was erected from 
Franklinville, April 13, 1820. lu 1855 it contained 1,838 



118 



inhabitants, with 275 native and 73 naturalized voters; had 
601 cows, from which were made 43,155 pounds of butter and 
22,555 pounds of cheese; contains 30,459 acres of land, of tlie 
assessed value of $383,900. Taxes in 1856, $2,783.03. Three 
newspapers — the "Cattaraugus Republican," the "Cattaraugus 
Freeman," and the "American Union" — are published in this 
town. 

Post Offices — Ellkottville and Plato. 



ELLICOTTVILLE BUSINESS CARDS. 



"IMIl KILL" HOTEL 

EENJ. BALDWIN, Proprietor, 
ELLICOTTVILLE, N. Y. 



BAILLET & MCCOY, 

AND DEALERS IX 



LAMB & BOLLES, 

i^itoriiens '& Coiniscllcrs 

AT LAW. 
Office in Brick Block. 



S. B. SEWARD, 

§niggist ^ i^poljjcnirij, 

Dealer in 
PURE DRUGS, MEDICIUES. 

CLOieS, CASSIMEIiES, perfumery, 

AND VESTINCS, PAINTS AND OILS. 

Hals. Caps, Hoots ^ Shoes,^*"*^^ n-ittfsan<i Liquors. 

And furnishing goods generally. ,::!t^^:n;i:^^:.:^ S' '""^ 



ELLICOTTVILLE FOUNDRY. 

BEEOHER & DEWEY, 

Manufacturers of, and Dealers in 

CULTIVATORS, &c. 
MILL IRONS & CASTINGS 



Of every description, furnished on short 
uotice. 



NEW YORK GASH STORE. 

W. VAN CAMPEN & CO., 

Dealers in 

Slaplfi & Fancy Off Goods, 

Hardicare If Crockery, 

HATS, CAPS, BOOTS, SHOES, 

Groceries, &g., &c. 

BRICK BLOCK. 



119 

ANGEL & MELOY, W. P. SCOVILLE, 

ManufivctiirtT of 



AT LAW, 
Office in the Brick Mloch. 

W. p. ANGEL, W. A. MELOY. 



'SJ^r J:^ 3FJL 33, 

STOVES OF ALL K^DS. 



During a recent visit to tlie farm of Messrs. Staunton & Johnson, 
of Ellicottville, Ave were particularly pleased with wliat we consider 
one of the most important enterprises, and which we have no hesita- 
tion in saying, in its results, will prove of decided public benefit to the 
farming interests of Cattaraugus County, was the fine young herd of 
thorough-bred Devon Cattle. 

We understand it is the intention of Messrs. Staunton & Johnson 
to continue breeding this beautiful stock of Cattle, that are so well 
adapted to the hills of Cattaraugus, which will afford our farmers the 
most favorable opportunity of improving tlieir herds. Tlic following 
are the pedigrees of a part of their herd. The numbers are from " Da- 
vy's Devon Herd Book." When not mentioned otherwise, the animals 
were bred by Messrs. S. & J. Animals with a * will appear in the 
next volume of the Devon Herd Book. 

BULLS. 

Don Carlos (346); calved in July, 1853, bred by Lewis F. Allen, 
Esq., Black Rock, N. Y. Sire, Quartley (284) ; grandsire, Albert (2) ; 
dam, Sappho 2d (1137), by Rover (353); graudam, Sappho 1st, by 
Eclipse (191); g. g. dam by Mr. Patterson's Anchisis (140); g. g. g. 
dam by Bolivar, bred by Mr. Thompson, of Baltimore, by imported 
Garrick; g. g. g. g. dam, Susan, by Denny, imported from Mr. Denny, 
of Norfolk, England; g. g. g. g. g. dam sent by Earl of Leicester to 
Mr. Patterson, in 1817. He gained the first prize ($8) at the Catta- 
raugus County Fair, 1857. 

*Macduff (No. — ); extracted by the Cesarian operation, October 
23, 1856. Sire, Don Carlos (346); g. sire, Quartley (284); dam, 
Strawberry (1061); g. dam. Strawberry, by Bloorafield (148); g. g. 
dam, Strawberry, by Exchange (197). 

NoTK.— The motber (Strawberry, lOGl.) of Macduff was found on the morn- 
ing of October 23, 185G, with her thigh bones broken, and bleedhig from the 



120 

wound quite freely; she was then advanced to within three weeks of her time. 
So soon as her condition was ascertained, a slvillful surgeon, and an equally 
skillful butcher, were procured; chloroform was administered to the cow, and in 
a few minutes, by the Cesarian process, Macduff came into being— healthy, 
erect, handsome! and at the recent County Fair received the second prize in 
the Class of Devon Bull Calves; though it is but just to state that he was not 
in good condition, in consequence of sickness through the summer. His name, 
doubtless, was suggested from 

" Macbeth. — I bear a charmed life, which must not yield 

To one of woman born." 

" MjVCDtrFF — Despair thy charm; 

And let the angel, whom thou still has serv'd, 

Tell thee Macdiilf was from his mother's womb 

Untimely ripp'd!" 

*Leslie (No. — ); calved March 20, 1867. Sire, Megunticook 
(251); g. sire, Prince Albert (102); g. g. sire, Hundred Guinea (56); 
dam, Lady Lightfoot (824); g. dam, Lady Bird (820i). 

COWS AKD HEIFERS. 

N.oNPjvREiL (925); calved April, 1849, (bred by Mr. K Merson, of 
Brinsworthy, Devonshire, England.) Sire, Sultan (122); g. sire, 
Northampton (86); dam, Nonpareil, by Young Sillifant (121). She 
gained the first prize at the New York State Fair, 1851, and a silver 
medal at the Fair, 1856, and the second prize at the Cattaraugus Co. 
Fair, 1857 — Lady Lightfoot (824) taking the first prize. 

Lady Lightfoot (824); calved December 20, 1850, (bred by Mr. 
R. H. Yau Rensselaer, of Morris, Otsego Co., N. Y.) Sire, Duke of 
York (37); g. sire, Quartley's Prince of Wales (105); dam, Lady 
Bird (S20b), by Yenture; g. dam. Lady, by Hundred Guinea (56). 
She gained the first prize at the New York State Fairs — in 1851 as a 
calf; in 1852 as a yearling; and in 1856 as the best cow, 3 years 
and upwards; and the first prize ($7) at the Cattaraugus County Fair, 
1857. 

*NoRNA (No. — ) ; calved April 9, 1857. Sire, Megunticook (251) ; 
dam, Nonpareil (925). She gained the first prize at the Cattaraugus 
County Fair, 1857, as a calf 



YORKSHIRE, 

The seventh town organized in the county, was erected from 
Franklinville, April 13, 1820. In 1855 it contained 1,728 in- 
habitants, with 385 native and 16 naturalized voters; had 948 



121 

cows, from which were made 86,025 pounds of butter and 
12,804 pounds of cheese; contains 23,589 acres of land, of the 
assessed value of $309,767. In 1857, 66,638 pounds of maple 
sugar were made in this town. 

Post Offices — Yorkshire and Yorkshire Center. 



FREEDOM, 

The eighth town organized in the county, was erected from 
Franklinville, April 13, 1820. In 1855 it contained 1,443 in- 
habitants, with 245 native and 82 naturalized voters; had 
1,546 cows, from which wore made 138,150 pounds of butter 
and 46,500 pounds of cheese; contains 25,908 acres of land, 
of the assessed value of §378,034. In 1857, 81,580 pounds of 
maple sugar were made. 

Post Offices — Freedom, Ellon and Sandxisky. 



HINSDALE, 

The ninth town organized in the county, was erected from 
Olean, April 14. 1820. In 1855 it contained 2,129 inhabitants, 
with 330 native and 18 naturalized voters; had 595 cows, from 
which were made 58,200 pounds of butter and 10,640 pounds 
of cheese; contains 25,786 acres of land, of the assessed value 
of $338,003. Taxes in 1856, $2,267.11. 

Post Office — Hinsdale. 



FARMERSVILLE, 

The tenth town organized in the county, was erected from 
Franklinville, March 29, 1821. In 1855 it contained 1,413 in- 
ha.bitants, with 306 native and 14 naturalized voters; had 1,577 
cows, from which were made 151,629 pounds of butter and 
173,157 pounds of cheese; contains 29,843 acres of land, of 
the assessed value of $346,546. Taxes in 1856, $1,952.58. 

Post Offices — Farmersville and Fairvieio. 



122 
CONNEWANGO, 

The eleventh town organized in the county, was erected from 
Little Valley, January 20, 1823. In 1855 it contained 1,345 
inhabitants, with 316 native and 6 naturalized voters; had 
973 cows, from which were made 108,763 pounds of butter 
and 14,245 pounds of cheese; contains 22,846 acres of land, of 
the assessed value of $275,461. Taxes in 1856, $1,377.93. 

Post Office — Connewango. 



NAPOLI, 

The twelfth town organized in the county, was erected from 
Little Valley, January 20, 1823, by the name of Cold Spring, 
and changed to its present name April 15, 1828. In 1855 it 
contained 1,222 inhabitants, with 297 native voters; had 748 
cows, from which were made 90,925 pounds of butter and 5,700 
pounds of cheese; contains 21,958 acres of land, of the as- 
sessed value of $299,314. Taxes in 1856, $1,069.57. 

Post Office — JYopoli. 



OTTO, 

The thirteenth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Perrysburgh, January 29, 1823. In 1855 it contained 
1,094 inhabitants, with 261 native and 8 naturalized voters; 
had 1,174 cows, from which were made 67,500 pounds of but- 
ter and 178,000 pounds of cheese; contains 20,104 acres of 
land, of the assessed value of 1345,064. Taxes in 1856, 
$1,497.22. 

Post Officp] — Otto. 



ASHFORD, 

The fourteenth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Ellicottville, February 16, 1824. In 1855 it contained 
1,913 inhabitants, with 372 native and 32 naturalized voters; 



123 



had 945 cows, from which were made 118,020 pounds of but- 
ter and 148,306 pounds of cheese; contains 33,024 acres of 
land, of the assessed value of $276,669, Maple sugar made in 
1857, 55,065 pounds. Taxes in 1856, $1,807.65. 
Post Offices — Ashford and East Ashford. 



ALEXANDER SCOBEY, Ashford, KT. Y. 

FLOUE. MEAL AND FEED 

For ^€sle at the Jflitl, 

Flour made at this ]\[ill received tlie First Prize at the County 
Fairs of 1855 and 1856. 



MACHIAS, 

The iifteenth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Yorkshire, April 16, 18*27. In 1855 it contained 1,366 
inhabitants, with 276 native and 9 naturalized voters; had 
731 cows, from which were made 78,134 pounds of butter and 
10,644 pounds of cheese; contains 25,890 acres of land, of the 
assessed value of $326,252. Maple sugar made in 1857, 
63,490 pounds. Lime Lake, a favorite resort for fishing par- 
ties, is situated in this town. Taxes in 1856, $1,716.54. 

Post Office — Machias. 



ELGIN, 

The sixteenth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Franklin ville, January 24, 1829, by the name of Lyndon, 
and changed to its present name April, 1857. In 1855 it 
contained 1,123 inhabitants, with 201 native and 48 natural- 
ized voters; had 801 cows, from which were made 77,650 
pounds of butter and 44,370 pounds of cheese; contains 
21,101 acres of land, of the assessed value of $182,234. Taxes 
in 1856. $1,064.88. 

Post Offices — Elgin and Rawson. 



1'24 



MANSFIELD, 

The seventeenth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Little Valley, February 23, 1830. In 1855 it contained 
1,125 inhabitants, with 253 native and 15 naturalized voters: 
had 607 cows, from which were made 73,753 pounds of butter 
and 141,900 pounds of cheese; contains 24,821 acres of land, 
of the assessed value of $237,511. Taxes of 1856, $1,264.76. 

Post Office — Eddyville. 



NEW ALBION, 

The eighteenth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Little Valley, February 23, 1830. In 1855 it contained 
1,562 inhabitants, with 338 native and 15 naturalized voters; 
had 1,050 cows, from which were made 91.695 pounds of butter 
and 74,866 pounds of cheese; contains 22,988 acres of land, 
of the assessed value of $290,733.. Taxes in 1856, $1,683.85. 

Post Offices — JYew Albion and Cattaraugus. 



Attorney & Counsellor 

AT LAW, 
CATTARAUGUS, N. Y. 



ANSON SMITH, 

MainifacturiT of 



CATTARAUGUS, N. Y. 



ALLEGANY 



The nineteenth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Great Valley, April 18, 1831, by the name o^ Burton, and 
changed to its present name April 18, 1851. In 1855 it con- 
tained 1,583 inhabitants, with 314 native and 26 naturalized 
voters; had 298 cows, from which were made 30,500 pounds 
of butter and 1,045 pounds of cheese; contains 44,989 acres 
of land, of the assessed value of $318,363. Taxes of 1856, 
$2,728.32. 

Post Offices — Mlegany and Five-Mile-Run. 



1^ 

ALLEGANY BUSINESS CARDS. 

ERASTUS WILLAUD, 



r^^^^ 






CROCKERY, GROCERIES 



BOOTS & SHOES, &c., &g. 



BYllOM & COUCHMAN, 

MANXFACTURERS OF 

kti, Doors, Blinds, Floorio 

SIDING, PICKETS, &c. 



WM. C. BOCKOVEN, 

MANUFACTURER OF 

Cafriaies&LumtiefWapiis, 

Blacksmithing in all Branches. 



OEVEREUX HOUSE^ 

Allegany, N. Y. 
E. HOLMES, 

PROPRIETOR. 



LEON, 

The twentieth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Connewango, April 24, 1832. In 1855 it contained 1,330 
inhabitants, with 302 native and 4 naturalized voters; had 
1,008 cows, from which were made 08,820 pounds of butter and 
115,195 pounds of cheese; contains 23,023 acres of land, of 
the assessed value of $300,386. Taxes of 1856, $1,293.67. 

Post Office — Lemi. 



DAYTON, 

The twenty-first town organized in the county, was erected 
from Perrysburgh, February 7, 1835. In 1855 it contained 
1,139 inhabitants, with 245 native and 7 naturalized voters; 
had 961 cows, from which were made 62.361 pounds of butter 
and 113,764 pounds of cheese; contains 23,137 acres of land, 
of the assessed value of $308,243. Taxes in 1856, $1,684.73. 

Post Offices — Dayton, Cottage and Sociality. 



PERSIA, 

The twenty-second town organized in the county, was erected 
from Perrysburgh, February 7, 1835. In 1855 it contained 



\ 



126 



1,204 inhabitants, with 227 native and 11 naturalized voters; 
had 614 cows, from which were made 42,190 pounds of butter 
and 3S,6G6 pounds of cheese; contains 13,296 acres of land, 
of the assessed value of |360,436. Taxes in 1856, $1,603.86. 
Post Office — Gowanda. 



RANDOLPH, 

The twenty-third town organized in the county, was erected 
from Connewango, February 1, 1836. In 1855 it contained 
1,723 inhabitants, with 343 native and 10 naturalized voters; 
had 617 cows, from which were made 48,740 pounds of butter 
and 4,615 pounds of cheese; contains 23,040 acres of land, of 
the assessed value of $345,457. Taxes in 1856, $2,019.91. 

The Randolph Reporter newspaper is published in this 
town: and the Randolph Academy and Ladies' Seminary, a 
very ably conducted school, is located here. 

Post Offices — Randolph and East Randolph. 



RANDOLPH BUSINESS CARDS, 



JOHNSON, LEACH &BOAEDMAN, 

DKAl.KKS IX 

READY-MADE 



Dry Goods, Groceries, 
'Boots and Shoes, ^c, &c. 



WILLIAM H. CAMP, 

DEALER IN 

General Mercliaiidise, 



WITH ALL THE ETCMERA! 



A. G. DO 



DEALER IN 



House Fomisliiog ^ kmi 

STOVES, IRON & NAILS, 

Ami Munuracturers yi' 

Copper, Tin & Sheet Iron Ware. 



KNAPP & CARTER, 

(JEXERAL DEALERS IN 

in 



I 

faints, (!3il$,§00lsd:^!]0cj5, 

YANKEE NOTIONS, &e. 



12T 



J. C. BROWN, 

DEALKK IN 

jj iiiiiiyM^, 

Also, Ready-Made Comns. | Books, Stationery, &c., &:e. 



JAMES H. SMITH, 

DEALER IN 

Cabiiitt Mare ^ €\mB, 

I In all its Sranches. 



Dry Goods, (rroeeries, j Randolph, n. y. 

CROCKERY, HANNIBAL TYREL, 

CUTLERY, &c., &c. | proprietor. 

HAREISON FRENCH, 

EAST RANDOLPH, N. Y., 

DEALER IN 

Groceries, ^oots aitJr B\m, Cutlers, i't. 

HUMPHREY, 

The twenty-fourth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Allegany, May 12, 1836. In 1855 it contained 759 in- 
habitants, with 160 native and 19 naturalized voters; had 
400 cows, from which were made 35,78-1 pounds of butter and 
9,900 pounds of cheese; contains 22,583 acres of land, of the 
assessed value of $133,084. Taxes in 1856, $793.88. 

Post Offices — Humphrey and Sugartown. 

COLD SPRING, 

The twenty-fifth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Napoli, March 20, 1837. In 1855 it contained 664 in- 



X28. 

habitants, with 13G uativc and 7 naturalized voters; had IGl 
cows, from which were made 12,713 pounds of butter and 375 
pounds of cheese; contains 18,787 acres of land, of the assessed 
value of $94,607. Taxes in 1856, $912.43. 
Post Office — Ten-Mile-Spring. 



PORTVILLE, 

The twenty-sixth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Olean, April 27, 1837. In 1855 it contained 1,164 in- 
habitants, with 276 native and 21 naturalized voters; liad 302 
cows, from which were made 27,953 pounds of butter and 
2,845 pounds of cheese; contains 23,106 acres of land, of the 
assessed value of $187,803. Taxes in 1856, $1,457.67. 

Post Offices — Portville and Haskell Flats. 



CARROLTON, 

The twenty-seventh town organized in the county, was 
erected from Great Yalley, March 9, 1842. In 1855 it con- 
tained 511 inhabitants, with 84 native and 22 naturalized 
voters; had 140 cows, from which were made 9,095 pounds 
of butter and 500 pounds of cheese; contains 26,872 acres of 
land., of the assessed value of $140,096. Taxes in 1856, 
$l,0o3.65. 

Post Offices — Limestone and Tuna. 



ISCHUA. 

The twenty-eighth town organized in the county, was erect- 
ed from Hinsdale, February 7, 1846, by the name of Rice, and 
changed to its present name May 1, 1855. In 1855 it con- 
tained 1,103 inhabitants, with 226 native and 13 naturalized 
voters; had 547 cows, from which were made 43,940 pounds 
of butter and 5,220 pounds of cheese; contains 20,450 acres 
of land, of the assessed value of $187,939. Taxes in 1856, 
$1,275.44. 

Post Office — Ischua. 



129 
SOUTH VALLEY, 

The twenty-ninth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Randolph and Cold Spring, April 2, 1847. In 1855 it 
contained 586 inhabitants, with 122 native and 6 naturalized 
voters; had 168 cows, from which were made 16,010 pounds 
of butter; contains 37,749 acres of land, of the assessed value 
of $164,607. Taxes in 1856, $1,048.93. 

Post Office — Onoville. 



BUCKTOOTH, 

The thirtieth town organized in the county, was erected 
from Little Valley, November 29, 1854. In 1855 it contained 
453 inhabitants, with 89 native and 5 naturalized voters; had 
94 cows, from which were made 9,975 pounds of butter and 
1,006 pounds of cheese; contains 47,620 acres of land, of the 
assessed value of $205,469. Taxes in 1856, $1,554.29. Ma- 
ple sugar made in 1857, 2,690 pounds. 

The BucKTOOTH House, kept by the veteran John Board- 
man, Esquire, we can truthfully commend as one of the best 
conducted hotels in Western New York. 

Post Office — Bucktooth. 



EAST OTTO, 

The thirty-first town organized in the county, was erected 
from Otto, November 30, 1854. In 1855 it contained 1,228 
inhabitants, with 262 native and 9 naturalized voters; had 
1,445 cows, from which were made 86,244 pounds of butter 
and 265,900 pounds of cheese; contains 23,091 acres of land, 
of the assessed value of $269,549. Taxes in 1856, $1,565.26. 

Post Office — East Otto. 



uo 



INDIAN RESERVATIONS. 

The Allegany Reservation occupies a tract averaging a 
mile in width on either side of the Allegany River. It be- 
gins in the town of Allegany, and continues through the 
towns of Carrolton, Great Valley, Bucktooth, Cold Spring 
and South Valley, to the State line. The Indians are rem- 
nants of the Six Nations. Population in 1855, 754. 

The Cattaraugus Reservation lies in Persia and Perrys- 
burgh, and in Erie County. The population in 1855 was 
1,179. 



THE ALLEGANY RIVER 

Affords the great natural highway for conveying lumber to 
the Southern and Western markets, from Cattaraugus and the 
adjoining regions of Pennsylvania. It passes through Port- 
ville, Olean, Allegany, Carrolton, Great Valley, Bucktooth, 
Cold Spring and South Valley. 



THE GENESEE VALLEY CANAL 

Is now completed from Rochester to Olean, passing through 
Hinsdale and Olean in this county. Its importance is fully 
noticed in the sketch of Judge Martin. 



THE NEW YORK AND ERIE RAILROAD. 

This great highway, which has raised the value of real 
estate in this county, since its completion, fully one hundred 
per cent., and brought a cash market to the farmers' doors, 
passes through the towns of Hinsdale, Olean, Allegany, Car- 
rolton, Great Valley, Bucktooth, Little Valley, Mansfield, 
New Albion, Persia, Dayton and Perry sburgh. 



131 



J\*o. 7 West-Front Street, Muukirk, JIW., 

Are prepared to supply dealers and consumers at the lowest prices, 
with 



We are also importers of the choicest qualities of 

and keep constantly on hand the celebrated Cleveland Ale. The 
superior flavor and quality of our goods is already widely known, and 
our prices shall be as low as any house in the United States. 



SAHIEL E. BAHTLETT, 

PROPRIETOR OF THE 

d^IIkoitljille # §xmi iaikg plages 






LIVERY AND STAGE STABLES, 



Manny's Patent Heaping & Mowing Machine. 







A. PATCHEET, Manufacturer, 

WestUeld^ Chautatique Co., JT. I^. 



133 



lllMurag im)i lUiiping pi^'^l^wf^' 



MANUFACTURED BY 






^F^ 



WesMeM. «/i^, 1^. 



These justly celebrated Machines will be greatl}' improved for the 
harvest of 1858, and such additions and alterations made as have been 
suggested during the past season. 

These Machines for ease of rlmtight, quality of work, true, ami perfect 
adjustahility, are not equalled by any others now in use. 

An improved doul^le lever at the driver's seat enables him to raise 
or lower the cutters at will, by which means he can cut high or low, 
pass over sticks or stones, or over the cut grass, from field to field, 
without leaving his seat. I manufacture two sizes of the alcove Ma- 
chines. 

No. 1 cuts five feet wide, is strongly built, and adapted to 
level land. 

No. 2 cuts four feet four inches, is liglit and peculiarly adapt- 
ed to hilly and uneven land. Either size is sold with or without 
Reaper attachment. 

I shall also, the coming season, manufacture a liglit 



with aist steel cutter bar. This Machine will l)e the most simple and 
pcrfea SINGLE MOWER ever offered to the Farmer. 



A. PATCHED. 



134 



OHAUMOEY J. FOX, 
ELLICOTTVBLLE, N. Y., 



DEALER IN 



S A S. ^ W <A» S Mf 

DRUG§, MEDICINES, PAINTS, OILS, 

CSSCay tSSGmy tSSCSm 

mNmmmm. 

CEAELES NOBLE, Proprietor. 
WILLIAM H. HENDEISON, 

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR 
ATTORNEY AMD COOMSELLOB 
^ttoriuii anir Coitiisellor 



CONTEI^TS. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Page. Pgg-e- 

Acknowledgments 3^ i Members, Honorary and Life, 5 

Board of Managers 5 " " Letters from . . 32 

" " Authority of, Presidents, ex, & Town Vice Presets 5 

(vide Laws 1855) 25 i Premium List and Judges, Fair 

By-Laws 23-31 1 1857 7-22 

Miscellaneous 3(i-43 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



Chamberlain, Benjamin 44 

Clarke, Staley N 83 

Edwards. Francis S 86 



Fenton, Reuben E 91 .Ten Broeck, Peter 



Fox, Chauncey J 74 

Leavenworth, Alson 77 

Martin, Frederick S 59 



49 



CIVIL LIST. 



Assembly, Members of 103 

Attorneys, District 102 

Clerks, County 102 

Congress, Members of 103 

Constitutional Conventions, Mem- 
bers of 102 

Electors of President U. S 103 



Judges, Associate 101 

Loan Commissioners 102 

Senators, State 103 

Sheriffs 101 

State and Colonial Governors of 

New York 104-108 

Surrogates 101 



Judges, First and County 101 ' Treasurers, County 



,102 



TOWNS— THEIR POST OFFICES AND STATISTICS. 



Allegany 124 

Ashford 122 

Bucktooth 129 

Carrolton 128 

Cold Spring 127 

Connewango 122 



Dayton 125 

Ellicottvillc 117 

Staunton Sf Johnson's Herd. ... 119 

East Otto 129 

Elgin 123 

Farmersville 121 



136 



Franklinville 113 

Freedom 121 

Great Valley 116 

Hinsdale 121 

Humphrey 127 

Indian Reservations, &c 130 

Ischua 128 

Leon 125 

Little Valley 114 

(" Rock City") 114 

Machias 123 



Page. 

Mansfield 124 

Napoli 122 

New Albion 124 

Olean 109 

Otto 122 

Persia 125 

Perrysburgh 113 

Portville 128 

Randolph 126 

South Valley 129 

Yorkshire 120 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



Angel & Meloy, Attorneys 119 

Baillet & McCoy, Tailors 118 

Baldwin, Benj., Hotel 118 

Barse, C. V. B., Stoves 112 

Bartlett, Daniel E., Livery Stables. 131 

Beecher & Dewey, Stoves 118 

Beers, J. S., Jewelry 116 

Blakeslee, M. A., Drugs 110 

Bockoven, Wm. C, Carriages 125 

Brown, J. C, Drugs 127 

Byrom & Couchman, Sashes 125 

Camp, William H., Merchandise. . .126 

Gary. Charles S., Attorney 109 

Chase, C. M. G., Dry Goods 116 

Colman, H. & E. S., Produce. cover, 2 

Devereux House 125 

Dow, A. G., Hardware 126 

Eastern Hotel cover, 2 

Eaton. E. G. & F., Jewelry Ill 

Fox, C. J., Hardware 134 

Fredonia Advertiser cover, 2 

French, H., Dry Goods 127 

Friend, Henry, Clothing Ill 

Gifford, H. H., Hotel cover, 2 

Great Valley Hotel 134 

Heller, Thomas, Furniture 116 

Henderson, W. H., Attorney 1.34 

Hickling, Swan & Brewer, Book- 
sellers cover, 3 

Holmes, K, Hotel 125 

Irvine Hall Hotel 118 

Johnson House cover, 2 



Johnson,Leach&Boardman, Cloth- 
ing 126 

Kelsey & Co., Trees and Shrubs. . .117 

Knapp & Carter, Groceries 126 

Lamb & BoUes, Attorneys 118 

Leavenworth, A. E., Attorney 124 

Lockling, L. E., Plows 114 

Manley, Wm., Attorney, 134 

Manny's Reaper and Mower 132-3 

Martin, Stanley, & Co., Dress Goods. 113 
Merritt, Abram, For'dg Merchant. 109 

Nobles, Chas., Hotel 134 

Olean Academy 109 

Page, R. L., Tailor 109 

Patchen, A., Mowing Machines . . 132-3 

Pingrey House 127 

Randolph Academy cover, 2 

Risley Brothers, Wines & Liquors .131 

Russell, A. P., Attorney 134 

Scobey's Mill 123' 

Scoville, W. P., Stoves 119 

Seaman & Finkel, Hotel . . . .cover, 2 

Seward, S. B., Druggist 118 

Seward's Cough Cure cover, 4 

Smith, Anson, Sashes 124 

Smith, James H., Furniture 127 

Stone, Genthner & Co., Blinds Ill 

Strong, P. G., Dry Goods 127 

Tyler & Co., Livery Stables 131 

Tyrel, H., Hotel 127 

Van Campen & Co., Dry Goods 118 

Willard, Erastus, Dry Goods 125 



tW*ait, and get tUe Best! 

We have the pleasure to inform the Public that we have commenced clectrotyp- 
g Dr. Worcestkr's Royal Quakto Dictionakt, and hope to complete it during the 
■esent year. The Work will contain about sixteen hundred pages, and will be 

BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED. 

will contain, in its various vocabularies, upwards of Ten Thousand Words more 
an can be found in any other Dictionary of the English Language. It is, there- 
re, very important to 

WAIT, AND GET THE BEST. 
WORCESTER'S SERIES OF DICTIONARIES 

NOW CONSIST OF 

I. Worcester's Universal and Critical Dictionary. 
II. Worcester's Academic Dictionary. 

III. Worcester's Comprehensive Dictionary. 

IV. Worcester's Elementary Dictionary, 
v. Worcester's Primary Dictionary, 

To show in what estimation these books are held, it will be proper to state that they 
ive recently been introduced into the Public Schools of Boston, Cambridge, New 
ORE, Baltimore, Washington (D. C), New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago, Buffalo, 
oc'UESTER, and many other places in which the Schools are in the highest state of 
icellence. lu addition to this testimony, recent letters of commendation have been 
;ceived from Messrs. Everett, Prescott, Irving, Bancroft, and other eminent 
riters, whose practice is known to be in conformity with their expressed opinions. 
;on. Edward Everett says : "I have made constant use of Mr. Worcester's Diction- 
des since their first publication. His orthography and pronunciation represent, as 
ir as I am aware, the most approved usage of our language. His definitions seldom 
■ave anything to desire.''' Hon. Horace Mann says: "In all my writing, spoak- 
ig, and teaching, I have endeavored to conform to the rules for orthography and 
ronunciation as contained in Worcester's Dictionary." Hon. Charles Sumner says : 
The Universal Dictionary i A«i'e MSffZ almost constaiitly, and almoit daily, since 
s publication. I have no hesitation in calling it the best practical Dictionary in 
le English language." Other gentlemen use language to the same effect; and it 
lay be seen by their writings that they design to conform to the most approved 
sage, which Dr. Worcester recognizes as the standard authority, and of which his 
lictionary purports to be the exponent. Tlie innovations, however plausible, in- 
ented by one man, ought not and cannot prevail against the common usage of the 
est writers of the English language ; nor can there be any true American standard 
f authority other than the usage of the best American writers. 

HICKLINa, SWAN & BREWER, 

SCHOOL BOOK DEPOSITORY, 
wVo. ] 3 1 ff ashington Street, Boston, 

And for Sale by Booksellers generally, throughout the United States. 



THE GREAT AMERICAN COUGH REMEDY. 



SEWARD'S 

COUGH CURE. 

WAERANTED A SAFE, CERTAIN, AND SPEEDY CURE FOR 

Colds, Coughs, Whooping Cough, Croup, 
Influenza, Incipient Consumption, 

AND ALL DISEASES OF THE THROAT AND LUNGS. 



The COUGH CURE is not what is usually termed a quack medicine, but is 
prepared on strictly scientific principles, and by skillful hands. It was first 
prepared in small quantities, to give it a sufficient trial, after which it passed 
through the hands of some of the most eminent Physicians in the State, and 
was pronounced by all to be the most valuable and useful Cough Medicine 
ever brought before the public. 

The evidence is such that its great efficacy is placed beyond a doubt. A 
deep sensation is being created, and the number who use it is constantly in- 
creasing. Some have been taken from death's door, — many have regained 
health of body and mind — and .many more are on the road to it. We have 
received valuable recommendations from gentlemen of influence all over the 
country, in whose families cures have been and are still being effected; and 
when we say that no discovery in the healing art, which has been made In the 
present century, lias created so great popularity and confidence in so short a 
time, we state what is positively true. Such being our convictions, we shall 
send it forth on its mission of mercy, that all who are suffering from disease of 
the throat and lungs may have it in their power to be benefited. 

To the afflicted we would say, try it — it can do no harm, and will cure you 
of that dreadful hacking cough, which carries so many to a premature grave. 

Price, 50 Cents per Bottle. 

~^^ S. B. SEWAED, 

J DRUGGIST AND APOTHECARY, 

EliLICOTTVILLE, ]¥. Y., 

And soldhy Druggists generally through the country. 



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